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Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2019  with  funding  from 
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https://archive.org/details/heavenlytokehgifOOhars 


'J 


THE 


I 


HEAVENLY  TOKEN: 

A 

Cift  §ooli  for  Christians. 


BY 

DAVID  ADDISON  HAESHA. 


/ 


H. 


JJ'ny-Uorlx  : 

DAYTON,  36  HOWARD  STREET; 

INDIANAPOLIS,  IND.  :  ASHER  &  CO. 

1860. 


I 


Sfitoiod  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1S5G, 

By  Dayton  and  Burdick, 

lr»  the  Clerk’s  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States,  for  the 
Soutliern  District  of  New  York. 


I 


CjjBitgjjts  oit  tljc  fok  of  Xfjrist. 


I 


V 


V 


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\ 


PREFACE. 


Tnis  work  is  not  designed  as  a  systematic  treatise,  but 
as  an  humble  essay  on  the  great,  the  inexhaustible  sub¬ 
ject  of  the  love  of  Christ,  as  manifested  to  a  lost  world 

It  was  composed  during  a  long  period  of  recovery  from 
a  chronic  disease,  which  brought  the  author  to  the  gates 
of  death,  and  well  nigh  terminated  his  life. 

In  the  present  essay  the  author  has  endeavored  to 
notice  a  few  ways  in  which  Christ  has  manifested  his 
great  love  to  sinners. 

His  object  in  writing  this  work  is  to  do  good ;  and 
should  this  volume  be  the  means  of  leading  any  sinner  to 
the  blessed  Jesus,  or  of  kindling  a  single  spark  of  divine 
love  in  his  bosom,  or  even  of  refreshing  the  soul  of  any 
saint — of  animating  him  on  bis  way  to  glory — he  will  feel 
amply  rewarded  for  the  toil  of  writing  it,  when  in  a  state 
of  much  pnysical  inability ;  and  most  gratefully  would  he 
ascribe  all  the  praise  and  glory  to  God.  He  can  bless  the 
feeblest  instrument;  and,  without  his  blessing,  all  our 
labors  for  good  must  be  futile. 

While  the  author  would  endeavor  to  lead  others  to  tho 


6 


PREFACE. 


/ 

Lamb  of  God,  to  the  bleeding  Saviour,  mcst  humbly 
would  he  himself  glory  in  the  cross  of  Christ  “God 
forbid  that  I  should  glory,  save  in  the  cross  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  by  whom  the  world  is  crucified  unto  me, 
and  I  unto  the  world and  ever  does  he  hope  to  pro¬ 
claim  the  love  and  set  forth  the  praise  of  that  blessed 
Redeemer,  who  left  the  regions  of  glory  to  live  and  die 
for  sinners. 


“Jesus!  my  Shepherd,  Husband,  Friend ; 
My  Prophet,  Priest,  and  King; 

My  Lord,  my  life,  my  way,  my  end, 
Accept  the  praise  I  bring. 


“  Weak  Is  the  effort  of  my  heart, 
And  cold  my  warmest  thought; 
But  when  I  see  thee  as  thou  art, 
I’ll  praise  thee  as  I  ought. 


“  Till  then  I  would  thy  love  proclaim, 
With  ev’ry  fleeting  breath; 

And  may  the  music  of  thy  naraa 
Befresh  my  soul  In  death, 


Ahoyle,  N.  Y.,  Nov.,  1850. 


CONTENTS. 


Zfa  2Lobc  of  (Cbrfflt 

CHAPTER  L 

Introductory  Essay. . * . . .  11 

CHAPTER  II. 

The  Love  of  Christ  in  coming  into  the  World  to  save 
Sinners . 13 

CHAPTER  III. 

The  Love  of  Christ  as  manifested  in  His  Sufferings  and 

Death .  82 

/ 

CHAPTER  IV. 

The  Love  of  Christ  contemplated . 53 

CHAPTER  V. 


The  Love  of  Christ  m  the  bestowment  of  Grace  and  the 
gift  of  His  Word;  and  in  the  Institution  of  Divine 


Ordinances .  63 

CHAPTER  VL 

The  Love  of  Christ  Affliction .  7ft 


8  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  VII. 

The  Love  of  Christ  as  manifested  to  His  People  in  the  paod 
Hour  of  Death . .. .  8*7 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

The  Love  of  Christ  in  the  Hour  of  Death,  continued. 

The  Cloud  of  Witnesses .  9b 

CHAPTER  IX. 

The  Happy  Home  in  View . 128 

CHAPTER  X. 

The  Happy  Home  contemplated ;  being  with  Christ  m 

Glory . 141 

CHAPTER  XL 

The  Happy  Home  contemplated.  The  Blessedness  of 

the  Saints . 15b 

©L’rfst,  aittt  (Entctftea. 

CHAPTER  L 

The  Excellency  of  the  Subject . 17T 

CHAPTER  H. 

The  Person  of  Christ .  .......  ILf 

CHAPTER  III. 

The  Glory  of  Christ . ,  ..............  222 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Christ  Crucified .  .  . . . .  ....  222 


CONTENTS.  9 


CHAPTER  Y.  PAGK 

Christ  Crucified — continued .  . . .  t .  ...  243 

CHAPTER  YL 

Redemption  by  Christ . 257 

CHAPTER  YII. 

The  New  Song  in  Glory. . 272 

CHAPTER  YIII. 

Christ,  and  Him  Crucified,  the  Sum  and  Substance  of 

the  Gospel .  282 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Christ  and  Him  Crucified,  the  only  Hope  of  the  Sinner.  294 

CHAPTER  X. 

The  Cross  of  Christ,  the  Glory  of  the  Christian .  309 

Conclusion — Solemn  Appeal  to  the  Reader. . 880 


®©ari&etfnjj8  of  a  IDtljjrtni. 

CHAPTER  L 

This  World  a  Wilderness,  and  the  Christian  a  Pilgrim.  339 

CHAPTER  II. 

Commencement  of  the  Christian’s  Journey — Ditficulties 

in  the  Way .  S51 

CHAPTER  III. 

Encouragements — Provision  by  the  Way . 862 

CHAPTER  IY. 

The  Christian  Pilgrim  in  the  Yalley  of  Baca .  372 


10 


CONTENTS* 


/ 

PAGB 

CHAPTER  Y. 

Ths  Christian  on  Pisgah’s  Mount . .  . . .  ..  379 

CHAPTER  YL 

The  Posture  of  the  Christian  Pilgrim  in  coming  up 
from  the  Wilderness  of  this  World .  385 

CHAPTER  YIL 

Passage  over  the  Jordan  of  Death . .  898 


'Emmanuel’s  3Lantr. 

CHAPTER  L 

The  Place . 417 

CHAPTER  IL 

The  Blessedness. . 434 

» 

CHAPTER  IIL 

The  Joy . 447 

\ 

CHAPTER  IY. 

The  Glory. . 456 

CHAPTER  Y. 

The  Rest. . 462 

CHAPTER  YL 

The  Employment . 468 

CHAPTER  YIL 

The  Society . 475 

CHAPTER  YIII. 

The  Perpetuity  of  Bliss .  484 

Conclusion — Heavenly  Meditation . 487 


/ 


THOUGHTS 

ox 

Cljt  £  of  Christ 

- ♦  - — 

* 

/  ^  \ 

CHAPTER  I. 

INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 

God  designed  from  eternity  to  create  this 
world,  and  people  it  with  intelligent  beings. 
This  design  was  put  into  execution  in  the 
beginning  of  time.  “  In  the  beginning,  God 
created  the  heavens  and  the  earth.”  *  He 
spake,  and  this  earth,  with  all  its  multifarious 
occupants,  started  into  being.  It  required  noth¬ 
ing  but  his  almighty  fiat  to  usher  a  world  and 
its  inhabitants  into  existence.  Man  was  created 
in  the  image  of  God :  hence  he  was  a  holy  and 
a  happy  being.  Uncontaminated  by  moral  pol¬ 
lution,  his  soul  was  one  of  purity,  holiness  and 

*  Gen.  i.  l. 


12  INTHODU  JURY  ESSAY. 


happiness,  lie  was  lord  of  this  lower  A'eation, 
enjoying  the  smiles  of  liis  beneficent  Creator, 
and  the  delight  of  the  terrestrial  paradise. 
Primeval  beauty  mantled  all  sublunary  objects. 
Paradise  bloomed  with  its  richest  productions ; 
and  all  was  peace  and  harmony  between  man 
and  his  Creator.  At  length  man  disobeyed  the 
divine  command ;  sinned  against  God,  and  fell 
from  his  original  blessedness,  by  eating  the  for¬ 
bidden  fruit, 

“  Whose  mortal  taste 

Brought  death  into  the  world,  and  all  our  woe” 

‘  By  one  man  sin  entered  into  the  world,  and 
death  by  sin ;  and  so  'death  passed  upon  all 
men,  for  that  all  have  sinned.”  * 

When  we  contrast  man’s  present  deplorable 
condition,  with  his  pristine  state  of  innocence, 
we  may  well  exclaim  with  the  Prophet,  “  How 
is  the  gold  become  dim!  how  is  the  most  fine 
gold  changed  !”f  “  The  crown  is  fallen  from 

our  head:  woe  unto  us  that  we  have  sinned.”;): 

By  his  fall,  man  lost  all  communion  with 
God,  and  became  exposed  to  the  miseries  of 
this  life,  to  death  itself,  and  to  the  wrath  of  God 
through  eternity.  From  this  sinful  and  lost 
condition  he  coull  not  extricate  himself,  he 

*  E  >n  v  12.  +  Lam.  iv.  1  i  Lam.  v.  16.- 


I 

INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY.  13 


could  not  redeem  himself,  nor  pay  unto  God  a 
sufficient  ransom  for  his  manifold  transgressions. 
A  broken  law  was  to  be  fulfilled,  the  justice  of 
God  to  be  satisfied,  and  a  complete  atonement 
to  be  made  for  the  sins  of  men,  or  else  God  and 

the  sinner  could  never  be  reconciled. 

• 

Punishment,  everlasting  punishment  and  de¬ 
struction  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  and 
.from  the  glory  of  his  power,  awaited  all  man¬ 
kind  in  the  world  of  just  retribution.  All  was 
forlorn ;  all  was  hopeless,  forever  hopeless  with 
regard  to  man’s  redemption,  had  not  God  inter¬ 
posed  on  our  behalf;  to  give  unto  us  an  ex¬ 
pected  end.  It  was  the  grand  design  of  God, 
from  all  eternity,  to  exhibit  a  magnificent  plan 
of  salvation  to  a  lost  world. 

And  everlasting  praise  and  thanksgiving  be 
unto  his  most  blessed  name,  that  the  glad  tidings 
of  this  unspeakably  precious  salvation  have 
reached  our  ears. 

When  there  was  no  eye  to  pity  sinners,  nor 
arm  to  save  them,  God’s  eye  pitied,  and  his  arm 
alone  brought  salvation  to  them.  In  infinite 
love  to  lost  and  perishing  sinners,  he  said,  “  De¬ 
liver  from  going  down  to  the  pit;  I  have 
found  a  ransom.”*  To  every  redeemed  sinner, 
God  says,  “When  I  passed  by  thee,  and  saw 


2 


*  Job.  xxxiii  24. 


14  INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 


thee  polluted  in  thine  own  blood,  I  said  unto 
thee  when  thou  wast  in  thy  blood,  Live ;  yea,  I 
said  unto  thee  when  thou  wast  in  thy  blood, 
live.  When  I  passed  by  thee  and  looked  upon 
thee,  behold  thy  time  was  the  time  of  love  ;  and 
I  spread  my  skirt  over  thee,  and  covered  thy 
nakedness :  yea,  I  sware  unto  thee,  and  entered 
into  a  covenant  with  thee,  saith  the  Lord  God, 
and  thou  becamest  mine.’’*  God  did  not  leave 
all  mankind  to  perish  in  their  fallen,  miserable 
and  polluted  condition.  No!  his  love  saved 
them  ;  his  wisdom  devised  a  way  by  which  we, 
polluted  sinners,  might  be  raised  from  the 
horrible  pit  into  which  our  iniquities  had  con¬ 
signed  us. 

“  When  in  our  blood  we  lay, 

He  would  not  let  us  die ; 

Because  his  love  had  fixed  a  day, 

To  bring  salvation  nigh.” 

The  glorious  plan  of  man’s  salvation  origin¬ 
ated  in  the  infinite  love  of  God  the  Father ;  and 
in  this  divine  plan  of  redemption,  the  most 
marvellous  exhibition  of  the  love  of  God  to 
hell-deserving  sinners  is  clearly  seen.  Here  is 
love,  the  love  of  God :  such  love  as  could  never 
have  been  conceived  of,  had  it  not  been  so 
amply  revealed  and  manifested  in  the  gift  of 

*  E z.  xvi.  6-8. 


INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 


his  only  begotten  Son.  “For  God  so  loved  the 
world  (even  a  world  of  lost  sinners)  that  h@ 
gave  his  only  begotten  Son,  that  whosoever  be- 
lievetb  in  him  should  not  perish,  but  have  ever- 
ing  life.”*  “  God  is  We,”  and  our  salvation  is 
from  the  God  of  love,  and  is  a  salvation  planned 
and  executed  in  deep  unfathomable  love.  “  In 
this  was  manifested  the  love  of  God  toward  us, 
because  that  God  sent  his  only  begotten  Son 
into  the  world,  that  we  might  live  through  him. 
Herein  is  love;  not  that  we  loved  God,  but 
that  he  loved  us,  and  sent  his  Son  to  be  the  pro¬ 
pitiation  for  our  sms.”f 

When  we  contemplate  the  greatness  of  God’s 
love  to  sinners,  we  are  compelled  to  pause,  and 
exclaim  with  the  admiring  apostle,  “Behold 
what  manner  of  love  the  Father  hath  bestowed 
upon  us,  that  we  should  be  called  the  sons  of 
God.”$ 

Oh  1  the  riches  of  divine  grace !  Oh  I  the 
depths  of  divine  love.  How  vast,  how  glorious, 
and  how  adequate  to  the  vwants  of  perishing 
sinners,  is  the  plan  of  mercy — of  love — of  salva¬ 
tion,  which  God  has  devised  to  save  a  lost  world ! 
It  manifests  the  wisdom,  the  justice,  the  power 
but,  above  all,  the  love  of  God. 

f  1  John  v.  9,  10 
\  1  John  iii.  1. 


*  John  ii*  16. 


16 


INTEODU  oTOEY  ESS.iY. 


“Salvation!  what  a  glorious  plan; 

How  suited  to  our  need! 

The  grace  that  raises  fallen  man 
Is  wonderful  indeed ! 

i 

“  Twas  wisdom  formed  the  vast  design, 

To  ransom  us  when  lost; 

And  love’s  unfathomable  mine 
Provided  all  the  cost. 

“Truth,  Wisdom,  Justice,  Power  and  Love, 
In  all  their  glory  shone, 

When  Jesus  left  the  courts  above, 

And  died  to  save  his  own.” 


God  has  chosen  a  portion  of  the  human  family 
to  be  the  monuments  of  his  free  grace — trophies 
of  his  redeeming  love  ;  and  for  them  he  has  sent 
his  own  Son  to  suffer  and  die. 

In  the  profound  depths  of  infinite  love,  the 
mercy  of  God  to  a  lost  world  had  its  egress. 
Unsolicited  and  undeserved,  it  was  nevertheless 
extended  to  lost  sinners:  sinners,  guilty  and 
polluted,  are  the  objects  upon  which  the  mercy 
and  love  of  God  are  profusely  bestowed. 

Love  is  God’s  darling  attribute,  which  he  de¬ 
lights  to  manifest  most  illustriously ;  for  God  is 
love.*  And  he  has  most  singularly  displayed 
all  his  love  to  sinful  man,  in  the  contrivance  of 
his  salvation. 

*  1  John  iv  8. 


0 


INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 


Vt 


Oil!  how  immeasurably  great  was  that  lovo 
which  saved  a  world  from  ruin,  and  raised  mil¬ 
lions  of  Adam’s  sons  and  daughters  from  eternal 
death  and  woe,  to  everlasting  life  and  felicity ! 
Thanks  be  unto  God  for  his  unspeakable  gift. 

The  promise  of  a  Great  Deliverer,  who  should 
emancipate  captivated  man  from  the  thraldom 
of  sin  and  death,  and  accomplish  his  salvation, 
was  early  conveyed  to  our  first  parents.  Before 
their  expulsion  from  Paradise,  when  all  seemed 
lost,  a  gleam  of  hope  shone  around  them.  It 
was  promised  that  the  seed  of  the  woman  should 
bruise  the  head  of  the  serpent;  that  the  works 
of  the  devil  should  be  destroyed.  Por  this  pur¬ 
pose,  the  Son  of  God  was  to  be  manifested  in  the 
flesh.*  To  the  patriarchs  the  same  promise  was 
more  amply  conveyed.  Abraham  got  a  glimpse 
if  the  day  of  Christ,  and  was  glad.  Dying 
Jacob  spoke  of  the  coming  of  a  Saviour.  u  The 
sceptre  shall  not  depart  from  Judah,  nor  a  law¬ 
giver  from  between  his  feet,  until  Shiloh  come.”f 
Moses  said  to  the  children  of  Israel,  “The  Lord 
thy  God  will  raise  up  unto  thee  a  Prophet  from 
the  midst  of  thee,  of  thy  brethren,  like  unto  me : 
unto  him  ye  shall  hearken.’’^ 

Isaiah,  wrapped  in  prophetic  vision,  eloquently 
describes  the  advent  and  characteristics  of  the 

*  1  John  i  .  8.  f  Gen,  xlix.  10.  t  Deufc.  xviii.  15 
2* 


18 


INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 


promised  Messiah.  “ Unto  us  a  child  is  born: 
unto  us  a  son  is  given,  and  the  government  shall 
be  upon  his  shoulder ;  and  his  name  shall  be 
called  Wonderful,  Counsellor,  The  Mighty  God, 
The  Everlasting  Father,  The  Prince  of  Peace.”* 
u  Behold  a  virgin  shall  conceive  and  bear  a 
son,  and  shall  call  his  name  Immanuel.”!  AU 
the  prophets  spoke  of  Him  who  was  to  come 
into  the  world  to  accomplish  our  salvation ;  “for 
the  testimony  of  Jesus  is  the  spirit  of  prophecy.”^: 
As  the  time  approached,  the  promises  of  a  divine 
Saviour  were  multiplied.  “  But  when  the  ful¬ 
ness  of  time  was  come,  God  sent  forth  his  Son, 
made  of  a  woman,  made  under  the  law,  to 
redeem  them  that  were  under  the  law,  that  we 
might  receive  the  adoption  of  sons.”§ 

Love  was  the  grand  principle  which  prompted 
the  blessed  God  to  give  his  Son  to  die  for  sin¬ 
ners  ;  and  love  was  the  impelling  motive  that 
brought  Immanuel  from  his  throne,  to  this 
fallen  world,  in  order  to  save  the  lost.  How 
great,  how  sublime  was  that  scheme  of  his  to 
save  a  perishing  world!  How  vast  was  that 
love  which  enabled  him  ta  execute  this  plan  ! 


*  Is.  ix.  6. 

|  Rev.  xix.  If 


f  Is.  vii.  14, 

§  GaL  iv.  4,  5. 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


19 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST  IN  COMING  INTO  THE  WOELD 

TO  SAVE  SINNERS. 

“Thi3  is  a  faithful  saying,  and  -worthy  of  all  acceptation, 
that  Christ  Jesus  came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners.”— 
1  Tim.  xi.  15. 


The  gospel,  as  the  name  signifies,  denotes  glad 
tidings.  This  blessed  gospel  is  sent  to  us :  to 
you,  reader,  are  these  glad  tidings  conveyed. 
11  That  Christ  Jesus  came  into  the  world  to  save 
sinners,”  is  the  best  news  that  ever  fell  on  the 
ears  of  a  dying  world.  Life  and  immortality 
are  brought  to  light  through  this  gospel  of  the 
grace  of  God. 

Let  us  now  contemplate  the  glorious  charac¬ 
ter  of  our  blessed  Eedeemer,  and  the  love  which 
he  has  manifested  in  coming  into  the  world  to 
save  sinners. 

1.  In  the  person  of  Christ,  the  human  and 
divine  natures  are  united.  His  divinity  is 
clearly  asserted  in  the  Scriptures.  The  Re¬ 
deemer  of  lost  sinners  is  the  eternal  Son  of  God 
— equal  with  the  Father,  the  Creator  of  the 
universe,  the  upholder  of  all -things.  Indued 


20 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


with  supreme  power,  he  reigns  universal  Lord. 
All  power  is  given  to  him,  in  heaven  and  earth. 
All  worlds  are  his.  All  kingdoms  are  his  do¬ 
main.  He  made  all  things.  At  his  command, 
worlds  started  into  being.'  By  his  power  all 
created  matter  is  upheld  in  existence.  He  has 
caused  the  sun  to  shine  with  undiminished 
splendor  on  our  globe  for  nearly  six  thousand 
years.  It  is  he  “  that  spreadeth  out  the  heavens, 
and  treadeth  upon  the  waves  of  the  sea ;  that 
maketh  Arcturus,  Orion,  and  Pleiades,  and  the 
chambers  of  the  south.”* 

Open  the  blessed  volume,  and  read  the  fun¬ 
damental  doctrine  of  Christianity,  that  Christ, 
.he  redeemer  of  sinners,  is  God.  “In  the  be¬ 
ginning  was  the  Word,  and  the  Word  was  with 
God,  and  the  Word  was  God.  ~  All  things  were 
made  by  him;  and  without  him  was  not  any 
thing  made,  that  was  made.”f  It  is  a  matter  of 
great  consolation  for  the  believer  who  has  in¬ 
trusted  his  immortal  concerns  in  the  hands  of 
his  blessed  Redeemer,  to  know  that  he  is  God 
over  all,  blessed  forever.  Let  him  ever  bear  in 
mind  that  the  Saviour,  who  loves  him,  is  the 
only  begotten  Son  of  God,  and  bears  his  very 
image.  He  is  the  brightness  of  his  Father’s 
glory,  and  the  express  image  of  his  person.  He 


*  Job  tx.  8,  9 


f  John  i.  1,  3. 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST.  21 


is  clothed  with  divine  majesty,  and  possesses  all 
divine  perfections,  and  infinite  excellences.  Ho 
is  equal  with  God  in  all  his  glorious  perfec¬ 
tions. 

He  is  called  “  the  Lord  of  Glory,”  the  “  King 
of  glory,”  “the  mighty  God,”  “Jehovah;”  and 
in  the  Kevelation  he  is  described  as  having 
on  his  vesture,  and  on  his  thigh  a  name  writ¬ 
ten,  “King  of  kings,  and  Lord  of  lords.”* 
Again,  it  is  said  of  him  that  he  “is  the  image 
of  the  invisible  God,  the  first-born  of  every 
creature:  for  by  him  were  all  things  created 
that  are  in  heaven,  and  that  are  in  earth,  visible 
and  invisible ;  whether  they  be  thrones  or  do¬ 
minions,  or  principalities,  or  powers.  All  things 
were  created  with  him  and  for  him :  and  he  is 
before  all  things,  and  by  him  all  things  consist ; 
and  he  is  the  head  of  the  body,  the  church,  who 
is  the  beginning,  the  first-born  from  the  dead ; 
that  in  all  things  he  might  have  the  pre-emi¬ 
nence.  For  it  pleased  the  Father,  that  in  him 
should  all  fullness  dwell.”f 

There  is  a  transcendant  loveliness  in  the  per¬ 
son  of  Christ.  He  is  “  fairer  than  the  children 
of  men :”  “  the  chiefest  among  ten  thousand ; 
yea,  he  is  altogether  lovely.”  What  glorious 
and  lovely  attractions  centre  in  Immanuel  I 

*  Rev.  xix  1*6.  f  Col.  i.  15-19. 


22  THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


Such  is  the  character  of  Him  who  came  into 
our  sin-polluted  world,  to  shed  on  Calvary 
his  precious  blood  for  the  redemption  of  his 
people. 

2.  Christ  came  into  the  world  by  being  mani¬ 
fested  in  the  flesh,  yet  he  lost  nothing  of  his 
essential  glory  and  dominion.  He  was  as  truly 
“  the  brightness  of  his  Father’s  glory,”  and  the 
owner  of  the  universe,  when  in  the  manger,  and 
on  the  cross,  as  he  is  now  at  the  right  hand  of 
God :  “  Even  the  son  of  man  who  is  in  heaven.” 
Yet  out  of  love  to  sinners,  he  chose  to  suffer 
that  glory  to  be  veiled  in  humanity,  and  him¬ 
self  to  be  made  under  the  law  to  redeem  his 
people.  What  amazing  love  is  seen  here.  “  The 
Word  was  made  flesh,  and  dwelt  among  us.”* 
“God  was  manifest  in  the  flesh.”f  Christ  Jesus 
was  in  the  form  of  God,  and  thought  it  not  rob¬ 
bery  to  be  equal  with  God ;  but  he  “  made 
himself  of  no  reputation,  and  took  upon  him  the 
form  of  a  servant,  and  was  made  in  the  likeness 
of  men.”J  The  advent  of  Christ  was  the  signal 
of  peace  on  earth.  His  incarnation  was  an 
event  of  great  joy  to  the  world.  To  the  shep¬ 
herds  of  Bethlehem,  the  glad  tidings  of  his  birth 
were  conveyed  by  an  angel  of  the  Lord.  To 
them  he  proclaim  2d :  “  Behold  I  bring  you 

*  John  i.  14.  f  1  Tim.  iii.  16.  \  Phil.  ii.  1 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


23 


good  tidings  of  great  joy,  wliicli  shall  he  to  all 
people.  For  unto  you  is  born  this  day,  in  the 
city  of  David,  a  Saviour,  which  is  Christ  the 
Lord.”*  A  new  light  then  burst  upon  the 
world.  The  glorious  Sun  of  Kighteousness, 
emitting  his  resplendent  rays  upon  kingdoms 
and  nations  involved  in'  moral  darkness,  arose 
to  enlighten,  to  gladden,  and  to  bless  our  be¬ 
nighted  planet.  The  prince  of  peace  made  his 
appearance.  The  messenger  of  reconciliation 
came,  to  reconcile  alienated  man  to  the  friend¬ 
ship  of  his  offended  Creator,  and  fit  him  for  the 
mansions  of  glory.  When  such  a  momentous 
event  had  occurred,  when  the  eternal  Son  of 
God  had  invested  himself  with  humanity,  and 
become  bone  of  our  bone,  and  flesh  of  our  flesh ; 
well  might  the  song  of  the  heavenly  host  re¬ 
sound  among  the  hills  of  Judea,  proclaiming, 
“  Glory  be  to  God  in  the  highest,  and  on  earth 
peace,  good  will  toward  men.”  For  unto  us  a 
Saviour  was  born.  And  never  was  human  na¬ 
ture  so  highly  honored  and  exalted  as  when 
Christ  assumed  it.  What  blessings  are  bestowed 
upon  fallen  man,  through  the  incarnation  of  the 
Son  of  God !  Eternity  alone  can  unfold  them. 

Christ  came  most  willingly  into  the  world  to 
do  the  will  of  nis  heavenly  Father  Ills  wcrds 


*  Luke  ii,  10,  11. 


24  THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST 


were  “  Lo,  I  come :  in  the  volume  of  the  book 
it  is  written  of  me ;  I  delight  to  do  thy  will,  0 
my  God.”*  Christ  offered  himself  a  willing 
victim  upon  the  altar  of  divine  wrath.  He  came 
into  the  world.  But  oh  !  wonderful  condescen¬ 
sion  and  boundless  love,  that  Christ  should  come 
into  this  sinful  world.  On  the  matchless  con¬ 
descension  and  kindness  of  Christ,  as  manifested 
by  his  incarnation,  a  pious  writerf  has  the  fol¬ 
lowing  beautiful  remarks  :  u  Earthly  princes 
are  only  feeble  worms ;  their  loftiest  elevation 
is  a  molehill,  and  their  brightest  splendor  a  vain 
show.  Yet  how  rarely  do  they  descend  from 
their  thrones,  to  visit  and  relieve  those  who  lan¬ 
guish  in  the  abodes  of  poverty  and  wretched¬ 
ness  !  In  our  low  and  lost  estate  Jesus  Christ 
not  only  saw  and  pitied  us,  but  also  hastened  on 
the  wings  of  love  to  bring  salvation.  ‘  He  was 
eternally  rich,  yet  for  our  sakes  he  became  poor, 
that  we  through  his  poverty  might  be  made 
rich.’  ” 

He  was  clothed  with  light,  and  surrounded 
with  hosts  of  happy,  adoring  spirits;  yet  he 
submitted  to  put  on  our  nature,  and  sojourn 
among  guilty,  worthless  mortals. 

Herein  is  love !  love  without  a  parallel,  love 
that  exceeds  description,  and  passes  knowledge ! 

*  Fa  si.  7,  8  |  Thcrnton. 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


25 


The  incarnation  of  the  only  begotten  Son  of 
God  is  a  mystery  of  wisdom  and  love,  in  which  ' 
all  our  thoughts  ought  to  be  absorbed,  and  all 
our  hearts  with  it  should  be  enraptured.  The 
wonders  of  the  vast  universe,  could  they  be  col¬ 
lected  and  presented  to  us  in  one  view,  would 
lose  all  their  attraction  and  dwindle  into  insig¬ 
nificance,  were  we  stedfastiy  to  contemplate 
the  marvellous  condescension  of  the  Redeemer, 
manifested  in  the  humiliation  to  which  he  sub¬ 
mitted  on  our  account.  When  he  exchanged 
his  throne  for  the  manger  of  Bethlehem,  the 
shining  host  of  heaven  burst  into  that  sublime 
song,  11  Glory  to  God  in  the  highest,  on  earth 
peace,  and  good  will  to  men.”  Here  is  con¬ 
descension  which  we  could  not  have  believed 
possible,  had  it  not  been  so  clearly  and  amply 
revealed.  The  kindness  and  love  of  God  our 
Saviour  towards  man,  appeared  with  pre-emi¬ 
nent  lustre  in  the  whole  of  that  great  work 
which  he  undertook  to  perform  for  their  salva¬ 
tion.  How  ardent  was  that  love  which  brought 
the  ever  blessed  Son  of  God  from  heaven  to 
earth,  that  he  might  save  sinners.  What  but 
infinite  love  could  have  induced  him  to  come 
into  the  world — to  be  made  sin  for  us — to  bear 
our  sins  in  his  own  body,  that  we  might  be 

reconciled  to  God,  and  be  brought  at  last  into 
3 


26 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


the  everlasting  mansions  of  glcry,  to  be  ever 
with  the  Lord. 

Jesus  Christ  is  love  itself  embodied  in  a  hu¬ 
man  form:  that  form  once  appeared  on  our 
earth,  and  trod  the  thorny  pathway  from  the 
manger  to  the  cross,  till  it  was  seen  to  bleed, 
and  groan,  and  die,  on  Calvary,  for  sinners  as 
vile  as  we  are.  Eeader  I  have  you  an  interest 
in  that  great  work  which  Christ,  by  coming  into 
the  world,  has  finished  ?  Are  you  deeply  in¬ 
terested  in  his  atonement,  and  righteousness? 
Is  his  love  shed  abroad  in  your  heart  ?  Is  he 
unspeakably  precious  to  you?  For,  says  the 
Apostle,  “  unto  you  therefore  which  believe,  he 
is  precious.”  Can  you  adopt  the  language  of 
the  poet,  and  sweetly  sing, 

“Sweeter  sounds  than  music  knows, 

Charm  me  in  Immanuel’s  name : 

All  her  hopes  my  spirit  owes 
To  his  birth,  and  cross,  and  shame. 

*  When  he  came,  the  angels  sung 
*  Glory  be  to  God  -on  high  l’ 

Lord,  unloose  my  stamm’ring  tongue : 

Who  shall  louder  sing  than  I  f” — Newton. 

By  his  coming  into  the  world  and  accomplish¬ 
ing  our  salvation,  Christ  has  opened  the  gates 
of  the  celestial  city,  through  which  redeemed 
sinners  may  now  pass  into  mansions  of  eternal 


THE  LOVE  OF  CH&IST. 


27 


bliss.  0  sinner,  the  gates  of  Paradise  are  now 
wide  open  for  your  reception ;  enter  in  and  be 
saved.  The  arms  of  Christ  are  now  stretched 
from  heaven  for  yonr  relief.  Look  up,  then, 
with  confidence  to  your  loving  Saviour.  He 
now  calls  upon  you  from  his  eternal  throne, 
“  Look  unto  me  and  be  ye  saved,  all  the  ends 
of  the  earth ;  for  I  am  God,  and  there  is  none, 
else ;  a  just  God,  and  a  Saviour.”*  Sinner, 
have  you  looked  to  Christ  for  salvation?  In 
him  you  will  find  an  everlasting  salvation. 
Everlasting  salvation  I  precious  words  I  It  is 
the  gift  of  God,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
In  the  incarnation  of  the  Son  of  God,  we  behold 
immeasurably  great  love  manifested  to  sinners. 
With  love  unparalleled,  he  descends  to  this 
sinful  world,  and  lives  and  dies  for  the  redemp¬ 
tion  of  his  people.  Love  led  him  to  forsake  the 
regions  of  glory,  for  this  dark  abode  of  sin  and 
suffering. 

“Nothing  brought  him  from  above-, 

Nothing  but  redeeming  lore.0 

O,  what  love  is  here  manifested  to  a  guilty, 
rebellious  world!  “Ye  know  the  grace  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  though  he  was  rich,  for 
your  sakes  he  became  poor,  that  ye  through  his 
poverty  might  be  rick” 


*  Ii.  xIy  31.  22. 


t 


28 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


But  why  did  he  thus  veil  his  glory  in  ntiman 
ity,  and  come  into  this  world  ?  It  was  to  save 
sinners.  “  This  is  a  faithful  saying,  and  worthy 
of  all  acceptation,  that  Christ  Jesus  came  into 
the  world  to  save  sinners.”* 

8.  To  save  sinners  was  the  very  object  for 
which  Messiah  left  his  throne ;  for  which  the 
Son  of  God  became  incarnate.  “I  am  not  come 
to  call  the  righteous,  but  sinners  to  repentance.”! 
“  The  Son  of  man  is  come  to  seek  and  to  save 
that  which  was  lost.”!  When  Christ  veiled  his 
glory,  and  left  the  regions  of  bliss,  it  was  to  save 
sinners.  When  he  assumed  mortal  flesh,  and 
became  a  suffering  man,  it  was  to  save  sinners. 
When  he  bled  and  died  on  the  cross,  it  was  to 
save  sinners.  When  he  burst  the  fetters  of  death, 
and  in  a  glorified  form  ascended  to  heaven,  it 
was  to  save  sinners;  and  now  that  he  is  set 
down  at  the  right  hand  of  the  throne  of  God,  he 
is  still  carrying  on  his  blessed  work  of  saving 
shiners. 

It  was  infinite  love  that  brought  Christ  into 
the  world  to  save  sinners.  What  amazing  lovfl 
is  here  displayed  I  In  man’s  redemption  th* 
love  of  Christ  shines  with  pre-eminent  lustre 
In  his  love  Christ  came  to  save  sinners,  anj 

Tim,  i.  15.  •{■  Mat.  ix.  18. 

t  Lvke  xix.  10 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


29 


most  willingly  does  he  receive  even  the  vilest 
sinner  that  comes  to  him  for  salvation. 

Have  you  yet  fled  for  refuge  to  the  world’s 
Redeemer  ?  There  is  but  one  refuge  provided 
for  a  lost  world :  Christ  is  that  refuge.  He 
shelters  all  that  come  to  him.  In  him  is  eternal 
safety.  Happy  are  they,  whose  hopes  are  fixed 
on  him :  they  are  safe ;  though  all  around  them 
are  changes  and  fluctuations,  yet  their  rest  is 
pitched  aloft,  far  above  this  sphere  of  changing 
and  perishing  mortality.  Onward  and  heaven¬ 
ward  will  be  their  course,  and  glorious  will  be 
their  destiny !  When  Christ  shall  appear,  they 
shall  appear  with  him  in  glory. 

Animated  by  the  hope  of  immortality,  look 
with  holy  contempt  upon  the  world  and  all  its 
delusive  pleasures.  Let  a  joyful  eternity  be  ever 
in  your  view.  Choose  Christ  as  your  Saviour 
and  portion,  and  heaven  will  be  your  home. 
You  will  quickly  glide  over  the  tempestuous 
sea  of  life,  and  land  on 

- “  the  peaceful  shore 

Of  blest  eternity.” 

Come,  0  sinner !  come  and  intrust  your  salva¬ 
tion  to  the  blessed  Jesus,  who  came  to  save  sin 
ner&.  He  will  not  cast  you  out..  Hear  his  own 

words :  “  H:m  that  cometh  to  me,  I  will  in  no 
3* 


80  THE  HOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


wise  cast  out.5**  He  has  a  willing  ear  to  heal 
your  cry ;  a  willing  heart  to  receive  you ;  will¬ 
ing  arms  to  embrace  you;  almighty  power  to 
save  you.  0  dp  not  refuse  the  Lord  of  glory ! 
Do  not  contemn  the  gospel  message  of  love. 

Behold  your  loving  Saviour  I  See  what  an 
interest  he  has  taken  in  your  eternal  welfare. 
See  him  laying  aside  the  robes  of  his  glory  for 
you.  See  him,  though  high,  becoming  low ; 
though  rich,  becoming  poor  for  you:  and  see 
him  coming  into  this  world  to  save  you.  Attend 
to  his  gracious  calls.  Seek  him  instantly.  May 
the  sweet  influences  of  Christ’s  redeeming  love 
constrain  you  to  come  and  partake  of  the  joys 
of  salvation.  Salvation  by  Christ!  Blessed 
gospel ;  well  mayest  thou  be  styled  glad  tidings 
of  great  joy ! 

In  a  word,  I  beseech  you,  dear  reader,  as  you 
value  the  happiness  of  your  immortal  soul  and 
the  bliss  of  eternity,  to  make  sure  of  your  salva 
tion.  “Behold,  now  is  the  accepted  time;  be 
hold,  now  is  the  day  of  salvation.”  To-morrow 
may  be  too  late.  To-morrow’s  sun  may  set  upon 
your  grave.  Now  “  Se^k  ye  the  Lord  while  he 
may  be  found,  call  ye  upon  him  while  he  is 
near :  let  the  wicked  forsake  his  way,  and  the 
unrighteous  man  his  thoughts ;  and  let  him  re- 

.  ®  John  vl  87. 


THE  LOYE  OF  CHRIST.  81 


torn  unto  the  Lord,  and  he  will  have  mercy 
upon  him;  and  to  our  God,  for  he  will  abun¬ 
dantly  pardon.”* 

“  Come,  lepers,  seize  the  present  hour 
The  Saviour’s  grace  to  prove : 

He  can  relievs,  for  he  has  pow'r 
He  will,  foi  ho  is  love.” — Nbwtom 

•  Is.  iv.  7. 


82  THE  jOTI!  OF  CHRIST, 


CHAPTER  III. 

TFTE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST,  AS  MANIFESTED  IN  HIS  BUFFER¬ 
INGS  AND  DEATH. 

“  Greater  love  hath  no  man  than  this,  that  a  man  lay  down  his  life  fot 
nls  friends.” — John  iv.  18. 

“Tteligion !  thou  the  soul  of  happiness  ; 

And  groaning  Calvary,  of  theel  There  shine 
The  noblest  truths ;  there  strongest  motives  sting 
There  sacred  violence  assaults  the  soul; 

There  nothing  but  compulsion  is  forborne. 

• - Thou  my  all  1 

My  theme!  my  inspiration,  and  my  crown! 

My  strength  in  age!  my  rise  in  low  estate! 

My  souls  ambition,  pleasure,  wealth;  my  world 
My  light  in  darkness,  and  my  life  in  death ! 

My  boast  through  time!  bliss  through  eternity! 
Eternity  too  short  to  speak  thy  praise, 

Or  fathom  thy  profound  of  lo.ve  to  man  1 
To  man  of  men  the  meanest,  e’en  to  me ! 

My  sacrifice  !  my  God !  What  things  are  these  ? 

Talk  they  of  morals  ?  0  thou  bleeding  Love  ! 

Thou  maker  of  new  morals  to  mankind ! 

The  grand  morality  is  love  to  thee  I” 

In  the  death  of  Christ,  we  behold  the  most 
astonishing  exhibition  of  divine  love  that  has 
ever  been  manifested  to  a  lost  world.  Such 
love  as  is  here  displayed  is  without  a  precedent 


L 


THE  LOVE  0/  C  HEIST. 


33 


— without  a  parallel  in  the  annals  of  time  or  in 
the  records  of  eternity.  To  behold  the  Son  of 
God,  the  Maker  of  worlds,  bowing  his  head  on  the 
cross,  and  yielding  up  his  immaculate  soul  amid 
the  agonies  of  death,  is  the  most  wonderful,  the 
most  affecting,  the  most  melting  sight  that  mor¬ 
tals  ever  witnessed.  Around  the  Cross  of  Christ 
there  shine  the  most  resplendent  rays  of  divine 
love  that  ever  beamed  from  the  Sun  of  Right¬ 
eousness — that  ever  emanated  from  the  Deity. 

Here  then  is  the  brightest  display  of  love, 
that  Christ  has  manifested  to  a  world  of  per¬ 
ishing  sinners.  “Greater  love  hath  no  man 
than  this,  that  a  man  lay  down  liis  life  for  his 
friends.”*  But,  oh !  amazing  love !  that  Christ 
breathed  out  his  precious  life,  poured  out  his 
holy  soul  unto  death,  for  his  enemies,  for  the 
ungodly,  for  sinners.  “For  when  we  were  yet 
without  strength,  in  due  time  Christ  died  for 
the  ungodly.  For  scarcely  for  a  righteous  man 
will  one  die  :  yet  peradventure  for  a  good  man 
some  would  even  dare  to  die.  But  God  com- 
mendeth  his  love  toward  us,  in  that  while  we 
were  yet  sinners,  Christ  died  for  us.”f  Christ 
died  to  save  sinners:  without  his  death,  their 
salvation  could  not  have  been  accomplished. 
Without  the  shedding  of  blood,  there  is  no  re* 


•  John  xi  18. 


f  Rom.  v.  6-8. 


84 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


mission  ;*  and  without  the  shedding  of  Christ’s 
precious  blood,  not  a  single  sinner  could  have 
been  saved.  The  salvation  of  countless  millions 
was  suspended  on  the  death  of  Christ ;  but,  in 
love,  he  died  to  save  them. 

Here  we  may  behold  a  little  of  the  vastness  of 
that  love  which  cannot  be  measured,  and  which 
cannot  be  told.  The  Saviour’s  love  met  death 
itself  in  the  face,  and  triumphed  over  the  grave. 
0,  my  soul,  look  and  wonder  I  Behold  thy 
Saviour  bleeding  on  the  cross;  bleeding  from 
every  pore,  that  thy  sins  might  be  washed  away 
in  the  flowing  stream!  See  him  pouring  out 
his  soul  unto  death,  for  thy  salvation ;  and  ask, 
Is  not  this  a  manifestation  of  unparalleled  love 
to  thee  ? 

0,  blessed  Jesus !  we  come  far  short  of  com¬ 
prehending  the  greatness  of  thy  dying  love.  It 
is  a  great  deep.  It  is  a  fathomless  ocean.  May 
we  contemplate  more  and  more  this  mystery  of 
divine  love ! 

Christ’s  suffering  and  dying  for  us  is  a  great 
mystery,  a  mystery  of  unfathomable  love.  How 
vehement  was  the  love  of  Christ,  that  led  him  to 
endure  death  in  its  most  terrible  form,  even  the 
death  of  the  cross !  “  Love  is  strong  as  death : 

the  coals  thereof  are  coals  of  fire,  which  hath 


•  Heb.  ix.  22. 


THE  LOVE  OF  CH-tlST 


35 


a  most  vehement  flame.  Many  waters  cannot 
quench  love;  neither  can  the  floods  drown  it.”* 
Such  is  the  love  of  Christ.  All  the  waters  cf 
affliction  and  suffering ;  all  the  billows  cf  divine 
wrath  that  rolled  over  our  blessed  Kedeemor, 
were  not  sufficient  to  quench  the  ardency  of 
that  love  which  he  felt  for  a  dying  world  of  sin¬ 
ners.  It  will  endure  through  time.  It  will 
shine  with  un diminished  splendor,  and  glow 
brighter  and  brighter  through  eternity. 

Oh  I  the  infinite  love  of  the  Son  of  God,  to 
shed  his  precious  blood  for  sinners.  The  love 
of  Christ,  in  dying  for  sinners,  passeth  all  knowl¬ 
edge.  It  is  immeasurable.  It  is  as  incomprehen¬ 
sible  as  the  duration  of  eternity.  It  is  as  illimit¬ 
able  as  boundless  space.  “It  is  as  high  as 
heaven ;  what  canst  thou  do  ?  deeper  than  hell ; 
what  canst  thou  know  ?  The  measure  thereof 
is  longer  than  the  earth,  and  broader  than  the 
sea.”f 

0  love  divine !  where  are  thy  limits  ?  Great 
God  1  beyond  the  sight  of  mortals,  and  of  an¬ 
gels  ?  The  stupendous  sun,  the  brilliant  moon, 
the  amazing  stars,  the  extended  firmament ; 
these  have  their  bounds,  but  that  love  has  r  one. 

Lift  up  your  eyes,  and  behold  this  vast  world, 
the  product  of  his  rower !  See  its  continents, 


•  Cant.  vL  G,  7. 


f  Job  xl  8,  9. 


86 


THE-  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


and  its  oceans  extending  for  thousands  of  miles, 
these  continents  may  be  measured ;  but  not  his 
lo.ye,  who,  though  God,  became  man,  to  die  for 
man.  Sooner  would  those  unfathomable  oceans 
be  fathomed,  than  the  depths  of  his  compassion. 

Lift  up  your  eyes  to  the  heavens  I  Survey  the 
countless  glories  of  the  starry  firmament ;  all  its 
fixed  or  “moving  worlds  of  light!”  Let  your 
thoughts '  rove  from  star  to  star.  How  great  is 
he  who  formed  them  all !  How  glorious  he  who 
has  bid  them  shine  with  undiminished  splen¬ 
dor  through  six  thousand  years,  and  to  whom 
they  are  mean  as  a  speck  of  flying  dust !  Yet 
he  who  hung  out  those  brilliant  fires  stooped 
from  his  amazing  height  of  bliss  and  majesty,  to 
assume  mortal  flesh,  and  appear  a  feeble  infant 
and  a  suffering  man.  Far  sooner  should  you 
measure  their  immeasurable  distances,  and  count 
their  countless  numbers,  than  tell  all  the  vast¬ 
ness  of  his  love,  and  the  blessings  it  bestows. 
The  sun  is  darkness  compared  with  his  superior 
glory  who  hung  it  in  the  heavens ;  and  yet  he 
humbled  himself  to  the  dark  abodes  of  misery 
and  death  for  guilty  man. 

0  I  when  you  gaze  upon  the  blue  expanse,  or 
when  the  solemn  stillness  of  night  banishes  from 
your  mind  the  thoughts  of  a  vain,  departing 
world ;  when  you  behold  the  midnight  sky  and 
mark  the  thousands  of  its  glowing  fires;  then 


Til  E  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


37 


think  that  he  who  fixed  them  there  once  hung 
on  Calvary  for  you,  that  you  might  shine  a 
star,  a  sun,  in  heaven,  when  all  those  stars  shall 
shine  no  more.  Think  that  he  was  once  mean 
and  dishonored,  stained  with  blood,  and  blue 
with  blows,  that  you  might  have  a  treasure 
greater  than  a  thousand  worlds  united,  and  in¬ 
finitely  more  lasting  than  the  countless  lights 
which  illuminate  the  firmanent.  Amazing 
love  I* 

Here  we  must  pause,  and  wonder,  and  praise, 
and  adore ;  and  in  the  midst  of  our  adoration, 
exclaim,  Lord  1  what  is  man,'  that  thou  art 
mindful  of  him  ;  and  the  son  of  man,  that  thou 
shouldst  thus  visit  him  ?  O  blessed  Jesus  !  thou 
didst  visit  us  in  love — in  great  mercy.  Thou 
didst  bleed  thy  life’s  blood,  that  we  might  be 
washed  from  our  sins  in  that  blood  of  infinite 
virtue.  Thou  didst  die,  that  we  might  live. 
Thou  didst  wear  a  crown  of  thorns,  that  we 
might  wear  a  crown  of  glory,  and  shine  as  stars 
in  heaven  forever. 

0,  to  know  more  and  more  about  the  dying 
love  of  the  Lord  Jesus  !  The  heart  of  Jesus  is 
nothing  but  a  heart  of  love :  love  to  sinners, 
even  the  chief.  It  has  been  well  remarked,  that 
“  were  all  the  love  of  all  the  men  that  ever  were 

> 


4 


•  Pike. 


38 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


or  shall  bo  on  the  earth,  and  all  the  lovs  of  all 
the  angels  in  heaven,  -united  in  one  heart,  it 
would  be  a  cold  heart  to  that  which  was  pierced 
with  the  soldier’s  spear.”*  O  thou  loving,  bleed¬ 
ing  Lamb  of  God !  come,  wash  us  in  that  blood 
which  flowed  from  thy  wounded  heart,  from  thy 
pierced  side ;  which  streamed  from  Calvary,  & 
fountain  of  overflowing,  inexhaustible  depths  of 
redeeming  blood.  “  In  that  day  there  shall  be 
a  fountain  opened  to  the  house  of  David,  and  to 
the  inhabitants  of  Jerusalem,  for  sin  and  for  un- 
cleanness.”f  Blessed  be  God !  that  fountain 
has  been  opened  these  eighteen  hundred  years, 
and  is  as  inexhaustible  as  ever. 

“Ho,  every  one  that  thirsteth,  come  ye  to  the 
waters ;  and  he  that  hath  no  money,  come  ye, 
buy  and  eat;  yea,  come,  buy  wine  and  milk, 
without  money  and  without  price.”;]:  "What 
stupendous  love  has  Christ  here  manifested,  in 
washing  away  the  sins  of  a  lost  multitude  in  his 
own  most  precious  blood.  Well  may  redeemed 
sinners  shout  in  songs  of  praise  to  their  adorable 
Bedeemer,  “  IJnto  him  that  loved  us,  and  wash¬ 
ed  us  from  our  sins  in  his  own  blood,  and  hath 
made  us  kings  and  priests  unto  God  and  his 
Father ;  unto  him  be  glcry  and  dominion  for 
ever  and  ever  Amen.” 

*  Maclaunn.  f  Zech  sdii.  1.  %  Is*  lv.  L 


j 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST.  39 


“  Worthy  is  the  Lamb  that  was  slain  to  receive 
power,  and  riches,  and  wisdom,  and  strength,  and 
honor,  and  glory,  and  blessing/ 

Oh !  the  infinite  efficacy  of  the  blood  of  Christ 
to  cleanse  from  all  sin.  “The  blood  of  Jesus 
Christ  cleanseth  us  from  all  sin.”*  Through 
the  blood  of  Christ,  pardon  and  peace  flow  to 
guilty  sinners.  “In  whom  we  have  redemption 
through  his  blood,  the  forgiveness  of  sins,  ac¬ 
cording  to  the  riches  of  his  grace.5 ’f  “  Christ 
died  for  our  sins,  according  to  the  Scriptures.55^: 
“  Through  this  man  is  preached  unto  you  the 
forgiveness  of  sins.55§  “  He  made  peace  through 
the  blood  of  his  cross.55|]  Precious  blood  that 
redeems  us  from  eternal  misery,  and  brings  us 
nigh  to  God  I  “  How  in  Christ  Jesus,  ye  who 
sometime  were  far  off,  are  made  nigh  by  the 
blood  of  Christ.”  Oh  I  costly  price  of  man’s 
redemption — the  precious  blood  of  Christ.  “Ye 
know  that  ye  were  not  redeemed  with  corrup¬ 
tible  things,  as  silver  and  gold;  but  with  the 
precious  blood  of  Christ,  as  of  a  lamb  without 
blemish  and  without  spot.55**  “For  ye  are  bought 
with  a  price  :  therefore  glorify  God  in  your  body 
and  in  your  spirit,  which  are  God5s.55ff  0,  my 

*  1  John  i.  7.  %  1  Cor.  xr  3.  |  Col.  i  20. 

f  Eph.  i.  7  §  Acta  six.  S8.  "[[  Eph.  i.  13. 

**  1  Pet  L  ]$,  19.  ff  i  Cor  vi.  20. 


40 


THE  LOVE  02  JHRIST, 


soul !  look  with  astonishment  at  the  price  paid 
for  thy  redemption — the  infinitely  precious  flood 
of  Christ. 

Dear  reader,  look  and  live !  Look  at  the 
blessed  Jesus,  bleeding  and  dying  on  the  cross 
for  your  sins.  “  As  Moses  lifted  up  the  serpent 
in  the  wilderness,  even  so  must  the  Soil  of  man 
be  lifted  up ;  that  whosoever  believeth  in  him 
should  not  perish,  but  have  eternal  life.”* 


‘  Upon  th©  cross  I  see  him  bleed, 

And  by  the  sight  from  guilt  am  freed : 

This  sight  destroys  the  life  of  sin, 

And  quickens  heavenly  life  ■within.” 

A  bleeding  Saviour,  seen  by  faith,  is  the  sight 
that  gives  peace  to  the  guilty,  heavy-laden  soul. 
It  is  the  blood  of  Christ  sprinkled  upon  the  con¬ 
science,  that  makes  peace  between  God  and  the 
sinner. 

But  what  intense  sufferings  our  divine  Re¬ 
deemer  endured,  when  he  “  bore  our  sins  in  his 
own  body  when  he  was  made  to  be  sin  for  us ; 
when  he  suffered,  the  just  for  the  unjust.  As 
our  substitute,  he  endured  the  wrath  of  God, 
and  suffered  for  our  sins.  It  was  infinite  love 
'that  led  the  blessed  Son  of  God  to  endure  all 
these  sufferings,  rnd,  at  last  to  submit  to  ihe 


*  J  An  iii.  14,  15. 


THE  LOVE  OF  CH  IISI 


41 


painful  cleath  of  the  cross.  How  brightly  did 
that  love  shine  in  the  last  hours  of  his  life,  when 
he  was  about  to  bleed  on  Calvary  I  What  but 
infinite  love  led  him  to  the  garden  of  Geth- 
seinane,  to  endure  that  bitter  agony ;  when  he 
said,  “My  soul  is  exceeding  sorrowful  unto 
death,”*  and  where  “his  sweat  was  as  it  were 
great  drops  of  blood  falling  down  to  the 
ground  !”f  What  but  infinite  love  led  him  to 
the  judgment  hall,  there  to  be  derided,  con¬ 
demned  to  death,  and  crowned  with  thorns ; 
where  “  his  visage  was  so  marred  more  than  any 
man,  and  his  form  more  than  the  sons  of  men  !”:j; 
What  but  infinite  love  brought  him  to  Calvary’s 
mount,  there  to  hang  a  suffering,  bleeding  vic¬ 
tim  on  the  cross,  for  our  sins  ? 

There  is  nothing  that  shows  the  love  of  Christ 

like  Calvary.  It  is  there  that  all  the  rays  of 

divine  love  are  blended  together.  In  that  dark 

hour  in  which  our  Saviour  hung  on  the  cross, 

he  showed  to  the  world  that  his  love  was  stronger 

than  death  :  then  he  exhibited  more  than  human 

love ;  he  manifested  the  infinite  love  of  God. 

Amidst  all  his  sufferings,  divine  love  shone  with 
% 

the  greatest  lustre.  Who  can  tell  what  love 
Christ  felt  for  a  lost  world  when  he  suffered  on 
the  cross  ?  Then  he  was  aboi*  to  accomplish 

*  Mark  xiv  34.  f  Luke  xxii.  44.  \  Tsa.  lii.  14 

4* 


42 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


our  salvation ;  and  his  love  became  stronger  and 
stronger.  Though  he  grappled  with  the  powers 
of  darkness,  jet  his  arm  brought  salvation.  He 
endured  the  hidings  of  his  Father’s  countenance, 
till  he  was  led  to  exclaim,  in  the  bitterness  of 
his  soul,  “My  God,  my  God,  why  hast  thou 
forsaken  me  ?”  But  he  made  an  end  of  sin,  and 
brought  in  an  everlasting  righteousness;  and 
amidst  the  last  struggles  of  his  holy  soul,  there 
fell  from  his  lips  in  dying  accents,  these  most 
blessed  words — the  most  joyful  ever  conveyed 
to  a  sinner’s  ear,  “It  is  finished  1”  Yes,  your 
salvation,  sinner,  is  accomplished  by  this  won¬ 
drous  death — by  that  divine  personage  who 
endured  it. 

0,  look  at  this  exhibition  of  love !  Was  there 
ever  such  love  manifested  to  a  lost  world,  as  is 
here  displayed  before  your  eyes  ?  Header,  con¬ 
template  Christ  crucified. 

How  intently  was  the  mind  of  the  great  apos¬ 
tle  fixed  on  this  prolific  theme !  His  language 
to  the  Corinthians  is,  “I  determined  not  to  know 
any  thing  among  you,  save  Jesus  Christ  and 
him  crucified.”*  You  also  may  look  towards 
Calvary,  and  with  the  same  apostle,  exclaim, 
“God  forbid  that  I  should  glory,  save  in  the 
cross  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  by  whom  the 


•  1  Cor.  ii.  2, 


THE  LOYE  OF  CHRIST. 


43 


world  is  crucified  unto  me,  and  I  unto  the 
world.”*  Blessed  Jesus  I  we  cannot  comprehend 
the  vastness  of  thy  dying  love. 

“The  propitiatory  death  of  Christ,”  says  a 
late  pious  writer, f  “  viewed  by  faith,  fills7  and 
absorbs  the  mind,  touches  and  melts  the  heart, 
raises  and  refines  the  affections,  and  completely 
transforms  the  whole  character.” 

“  Herein  is  love,”  says  John ;  “  not  that  we 
loved  God,  but  that  he  loved  us,  and  gave  his 
Son  to  be  a  propitiation  for  our  sins.”  “For 
the  love  of  Christ  constraineth  us,  because  we 
thus  judge,  that  if  one  died  for  all,  then  were  all 
dead ;  and  that  he  died  for  all,  that  they  which 
live  should  not  henceforth  live  unto  themselves, 
but  unto  him  which  died  for  them,  and  rose 
again.”:): 

Is  it  surprising,  then,  that  Christ  should  be 
precious  to  believers  ?  Can  we  see  his  matchless 
condescension,  in  stooping  from  a  throne  of 
glory,  to  a  cross  of  suffering  and  shame ;  can  we 
understand  the  great  end  of  his  amazing  humil¬ 
iation  and  vicarious  death ;  can  we  feel  the 
sprinkling  of  his  peace-speaking  blood  upon  the 
conscience,  and  not  love,  adore,  and  magnify 
him?  “O  ye  cold-hearted,  frozen  formalists! 
on  such  a  theme  it  is  impious  to  be  calm.  Pas- 


%  GaL  vi.  14 


\  Thorn  :on. 


X  2  Cor.  r.  14,  15. 


THE  LOVE  OF  C  HEIST. 


44 


sion  is  reason,  transport  is  temper,  here.”  "W  hat 
can  elevate  and  rejoice  the  sonl,  if  it  be  unaf¬ 
fected  with  the  highest  manifestations  of  eternal 
love?  In  the  death  of  Christ,  the  power,  wis¬ 
dom,  justice,  and  mercy,  of  God,  shine  forth 
in  full  unclouded  splendor.  What  language 
can,  with  due  force,  express  the  tender  and 
lively  emotions  which  spring  up  in  the  Chris¬ 
tian’s  breast  as  he  silently  muses  on  the  delight¬ 
ful  subject  of  redeeming  love?  0  God !  what  is 
man,  that  thou  art  mindful  of  him?  Thou 
didst  not  even  spare  thine  own  Son,  but  freely 
delivered  him  up  for  us  all.  Who  am  I,  that 
such  a  price  should  be  paid  for  my  ransom  ?  It 
was  not  with  silver  and  gold,  and  corruptible 
things,  that  my  soul  was  redeemed,  but  by  the 
precious  blood  of  Christ,  as  of  a  lamb  without 
blemish  and  without  spot.  Why,  blessed  and 
adorable  Saviour,  didst  thou  look  in  compassion 
on  me,  a  worthless  worm,  a  vile  apostate,  a  hell¬ 
deserving  rebel  ?  0  how  is  my  soul  lost  in  ad¬ 

miration  and  delight,  when  I  contemplate  this 
mystery !  May  thy  love  ever  glow  in  my  heart, 
and  thy  praise  on  my  tongue !  May  I  wholly 
live  to  thee,  who  hast  died  for  me. 

“Oh,  wond’rous  love!  to  bleed  and  die 
To  bear  the  cross  and  shame  j 
That  guilty  sinners,  such  as  I, 

Might  plead  thy  \raaious  utvaft* 


THE  LOVE  D  F  CHRIST. 


45 


The  death  of  Christ  delivers  us  from  condem¬ 
nation.  When  a  sinner,  by  faith,  obtains  a  sight 
of  the  crucified  One,  he  boldly  exclaims  in  the 
face  of  all  his  enemies,  “  Who  is  he  that  condem¬ 
ned  ?  It  is  Christ  that  died.”  By  his  death  he 
has  satisfied  divine  justice,  and  reconciled  us  to 
God ;  and  “  there  is  therefore  now  no  condem¬ 
nation  to  them  which  are  in  Christ  Jesus.”* 
“Being  justified  by  faith,  we  have  peace  with 
God  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ ;”  and  being 
now  justified  by  his  blood,  we  shall  be  saved 
from  wrath  through  him.  “  When  we  were 
enemies,  we  were  reconciled  to  God  by  the  death 
of  his  Son.”f  O,  to  have  an  interest  in  that 
itonement  which  Christ  made  for  our  sins !  “  By 
whom  we  have  now  received  the  atonement.’’^ 
Header,  I  would  not  lead  you  to  Sinai,  but 
to  Calvary — to  the  Saviour’s  bleeding  side.  I 
would  point  you  to  the  cross  of  Christ ;  to  Him, 
who,  in  his  great  love,  once  suffered,  and  bled, 
and  died  for  sinners.  I  would  direct  you  to  the 
bleeding  Lamb  of  God,  “  which  taketh  away  the 
sin  of  the  world.”  May  you  behold  Him  with 
the  eye  of  faith ;  even  Him  who  so  loved  you, 
that  he  laid  down  his  own  life  for  you  Then 
shall  the  peace  of  God,  which  passeth  all  under¬ 
standing,  fill  your  heart.  Then  shall  heavenly 

*  Rom.  viii.  1.  f  Rorru  v  1,  9,  1).  %  Rom.  t.  11. 


46 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHR.ST. 


joys  possess  your  renewed  spirit ;  and  one  un¬ 
broken  strain  of  praise  sliall,  through  time  and 
eternity,  arise  from  your  purified,  exalted,  and 
enraptured  soul,  to  Him  that  loved  you,  and 
washed  you  from  your  sins  in  his  own  blood. 

Look  at  Jesus  now.  Have  faith  in  his  aton¬ 
ing  blood.  Endeavor  to  obtain  a  glimpse  of  the 
bleeding  Saviour. 

u  A  bleeding  Saviour,  seen  by  faith, 

A  sense  of  pard’ning  love ; 

A  hope  that  triumphs  over  death, 

Give  joys  like  those  above, 

“To  take  a  glimpse  within  the  vail , 

To  know  that  God  is  mine; 

Are  springs  of  joy  that  never  fail, 

Unspeakable  1  divine!” 

The  sufferings  and  death  of  the  Son  of  God 
afford  the  most  illustrious  exhibition  of  divine 
love  that  has  ever  been  displayed  on  this  terres¬ 
trial  globe.  Here  is  exhibited  love,  such  as 
never  before  shone  on  earth;  love,  surpassing 
human  thought  and  comprehension.  Truly, 
here  the  love  of  Christ  passeth  knowledge! 
What  wonderful  love  and  condescension  are 
here  manifested !  Christ  dying  for  sinners ! 
The  Son  of  God  nailed  to  the  cross  for  sinners 
The  blood  of  Immanuel  flowing  from  Calvary 
for  sinners ! 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST.  47 


Our  blessed  Saviour,  “  who,  being  in  the  form 
of  God,  thought  it  not  robbery  to  be  equal  with 
God,  made  himself  of  no  reputation,  and  took 
upon  him  the  form  of  a  servant,  and  was  made 
in  the  likeness  of  men  ;  and  being  found  in 
fashion  as  a  man,  he  humbled  himself,  and  be¬ 
came  obedient  unto  death,  even  the  death  of 
the  cross.”*  0,  wonderful  love  that  made  the 
only  begotten  Son  of  God  lay  down  his  life  for 
sinners ! 

“  That  such  a  person  as  Christ,”  says  an  old 
divine,f  “so  excellent,  so  innocent,  should  un¬ 
dergo  death,  and  such  a  death  as  that  of  the 
cross,  so  disgraceful,  so  painful ;  that  he  should 
submit  to  such  ignominy,  and  endure  such 
agony,  such  tearing  of  his  flesh,  such  pressure 
in  his  spirit,  with  such  submission  and  patience, 
for  strangers  and  enemies !  Here  was  love, 
stronger  than  death.  Oh!  the  height,  oh!  the 
depth  of  this  love  1  There  are  such  dimensions 
in  this  love  of  Christ,  as  the  longest  line  of  our 
most  extended  thoughts  and  imaginations  can 
never  be  able  to  reach  and  measure.” 

What  amazing  love  did  Christ  manifest,  when 
he,  who  was  the  brightness  of  his  Father’s 
glory,  exchanged  that  crown  of  glory  which 
he  wore  in  heaven,  for  a  crown  of  thorns  on 

*  Phil  ii  6-8.  .  f  Vincent. 


48 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


earth,  and  bled,  and  died  on  the  cross  for  guilty 
man ! 

Sinner,  “  Behold  the  Lamb  of  God  1”  Con¬ 
template  your  divine  Bedeemer,  who  has  shed 
his  precious  blood  to  save  your  soul  from  eter¬ 
nal  misery.  In  love  he  died  to  save  you.  0, 
then,  contemplate  this  loving  Saviour  in  his  suf¬ 
ferings  and  death  I 

“Think  how  on  the  cross  he  hung, 

Pierc’d  with  a  thousand  wounds  1 
Hark,  from  each,  as  with  a  tongue, 

The  voice  of  pardon  sounds  1 
See,  from  all  his  bursting  veins, 

Blood  of  wondrous  virtue  flow  1 
Shed  to  wash  away  thy  stains, 

And  ransom  thee  from  woe.” 

Sinner,  flee  to  Christ.  He  will  receive  you 
joyfully,  and  save  you  with  an  everlasting  sal¬ 
vation.  He  will  rejoice  over  you  with  great 
joy.  He  is  a  loving  Saviour,  and  he  loves  to 
save  sinners.  He,  “  for  the  joy  that  was  set  be¬ 
fore  him,”  (the  joy  of  saving  sinners,)  “  endured 
the  cross,  despising  the  shame,  and  is”  now  “set 
down  at  the  right  hand  of  the  throne  of  God.”* 
“  Wherefore  he  is  able  also  to  save  them  to  the 
uttermost  that  come  unto  God  by  him,  seeing  he 
ever  liveth  to  make  intercession  for  them.”f 


•  Heb.  xii.  2. 


f  Heb.  vii.  25. 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


40 


Come,  now,  and  put  your  trust  in  this  Saviour. 
Leave  with  him  your  immortal  concerns.  In* 
trust  fearlessly  your  whole  salvation  to  him. 
Think  not  that  he  will  reject  you,  if  you  essay 
to  cast  your  sin-burthened  soul  into  his  com¬ 
passionate  arms.  His  atonement  is  all-sufficient. 
He  saves  to  the  very  uttermost.  Despair  not ; 
only  come  and  commit  your  soul  to  Christ,  and 
salvation  is  yours. 

There  is  an  infinite  efficacy  in  the  precious 
blood  of  Christ,  to  cleanse  you  from  all  sin. 
Blessed  be  God !  that  blood  which  washes  away 
the  deepest  stains,  has  been  shed ;  and  that 
atonement  which  expiates  the  greatest  guilt,  has 
been  made.  God  now  says  Jo  us,  in  language 
the  most  strong  and  encouraging,  “I  have  blot¬ 
ted  out,  as  a  thick  cloud,  thy  transgressions,  and 
as  a  cloud,  thy  sins  :  return  unto  me ;  for  I  have 
redeemed  thee.”* 

In  the  contemplation  of  our  salvation,  well 
may  we  exclaim  with  the  prophet,  “  Sing,  0  ye 
heavens ;  for  the  Lord  hath  done  it !  Shout,  ye 
lower  parts  of  the  earth :  break  forth  into  sing¬ 
ing,  ye  mountains,  0  forest,  and  every  tree 
therein ;  for  the  Lord  hath  redeemed  Jacob,  and 
glorified  himself  in  Israel.”f 

Blessed  Jesus !  It  is  from  thy  death  that  we 

*  la.  xliv.  22. 


i 


5 


f  la.  xliv  23. 


50 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


derive  eternal  life  and  blessedness.  How  should 
our  hearts  glow  with  love  to  thee,  and  sound 
with  the  high  praises  of  our  God!  “I  will 
greatly  rejoice  in  the  Lord :  my  soul  shall  be 
joyful  in  my  God ;  for  he  hath  clothed  me  with 
the  garments  of  salvation  ;  he  hath  covered  me 
with  the  robe  of  righteousness.”* 

Leader,  are  you  deeply  interested  in  the 
atonement  and  righteousness  of  Christ  ?  Then 
go  forward  in  your  pilgrimage  journey  with 
joy;  leaning  upon  Jesus,  the  beloved  of  your 
soul.  11  And  walk  in  love,  as  Christ  also  hath 
loved  us,  and  given  himself  for  us,  an  offering 
and  a  sacrifice  to  God  for  a  sweet-smelling 
savor.”f  “  Christ  also  loved  the  church,  and 
gave  himself  for  it,  that  he  might  sanctify  and 
cleanse  it  with  the  washing  of  water  by  the 
word ;  that  he  might  present  it  to  himself  a  glo¬ 
rious  church,  not  having  spot  or  wrinkle,  or  any 
such  thing ;  but  that  it  should  be  hoiy  and 
without  blemish.”!  With  their  robes  washed 
white  in  the  blood  of  the  Immanuel,  invested 
with  his  spotless,  perfect  righteousness,  the 
saints  shall  at  last  be  presented  before  God,  a 
faultless  church ;  and  the  redeeming  love  of 
Christ  constituting  their  unending  theme,  shall 
engage  their  enlarged  and  exalted  faculties,  and 


*  Is.  lxi.  10. 


•j  Eph.  v.  2. 


x  Epli.  V.  25-27. 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


51 


employ  their  ransomed  souls  in  holy  med  iations 
through  the  everlasting  sabbath  of  eternity. 

Sinner,  resort  forthwith  to  the  fountain  of  the 
Kedeemer’s  blood,  while  it  is  yet  open.  Come, 
without  delay  :  “Wash,  and  be  clean.”  “The 
Spirit  and  the  bride  say,  Come ;  and  let  him 
that  heareth  say,  Come;  and  let  him  that  is 
athirst,  come ;  and  whosoever  will,  let  him  take 
the  water  of  life  freely.”*  If  you  thus  come  to 
the  fountain  of  living  water,  you  will  be  able  to 
adopt  the  language  of  Cowper,  and  say — 


There  is  a  fountain  fill’d  with  blood, 
Drawn  from  Immanuel’s  veins  ; 

And  sinners,  plung’d  beneath  that  flood, 
Lose  all  their  guilty  stains. 

The  dying  thief  rejoic’d  to  see 
That  fountain  in  his  day; 

And  here  have  I,  as  vile  as  he, 

Wash’d  all  my  sins  away. 

Dear,  dying  Lamb,  thy  precious  blood 
Shall  never  lose  its  pow’r, 

Till  all  the  ransom’d  church  of  God 
Be  sav’d,  to  sin  no  more. 

E’er  since  by  faith  I  saw  the  stream 
Thy  flowing  wounds  supply, 

Redeeming  love  has  been  my  them^, 
And  shall  be  till  I  die. 


*  Rav.  szii  7. 


THE  LOVE  OF  vHBIBT* 


Then  in  a  nobler,  sweeter  song, 

I’ll  sing  thy  pow’r  to  save  ; 

When  this  poor  lisping,  stamm’ring  tongUfr 
I  tQi  silent  in  the  gr via. 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST.  68 


CHAPTER  IY. 

THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST  CONTEMPLATED. 

"And  to  know  the  love  of  Christ.” — Ephesians  i'L  19. 

OjST  no  other  subject  did  the  mind  of  the 
apostle  Paul  dwell  with  so  much  delight,  as  on 
that  of  the  redeeming  love  of  Christ.  This  was 
his  favorite  theme.  It  was  his  ardent  desire  to 
exhibit  to  a  lost  world  the  grace  ^of  the  Lord 
Jesus,  which  had  been  so  abundantly  manifested 
to  himself,  once  a  great  sinner.  It  was  the  love 
of  Christ  that  sustained  him  amidst  all  his  trials, 
and  distresses,  and  persecutions,  and  enabled 
him  to  finish  a  glorious  career. 

Neither  the  threats  of  the  Jews,  nor  the  terror 
of  the  Eomans,  could  separate  him  from  the  love 
of  Christ,  or  in  the  least  abate  his  zeal  for  spread¬ 
ing  the  news  of  salvation,  and  the  wonders  of 
redeeming  love  through  a  lost  world. 

Writing  to  the  Eomans,  he  boldly  exclaims: 
11  Who  shall  separate  us  from  the  love  of  Christ  ? 
Shall  tribulation,  or  distress,  or  persecution,  or 
famine,  or  nakedness,  or  peril,  or  sword  ?  As 
it  is  written,  For  tliv  sake  we  are  killed  all  tho 
5* 


Jt,  . . .  . . .  . .  - - - - ~  - - "  ■ 

54  THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


day  long ;  we  are  accounted  as  sheep  for  the 
slaughter.  Nay,  in  all  these  things  we  are  more 
than  conquerors,  through  him  that  loved  us. 
For  I  am  persuaded,  that  neither  death  nor  life, 
nor  angels,  nor  principalities,  nor  powers,  nor 
things  present,  nor  things  to  come,  nor  height, 
nor  depth,  nor  any  other  creature,  shall  be  able 
to  separate  us  from  the  love  of  God,  which  is  in 
Christ  Jesus  our  Lord.”* 

The  same  apostle,  writing  to  the  Ephesians, 
desires  and  prays  that  Christ  may  dwell  in  their 
hearts  by  faith,  that  they  being  rooted  and 
grounded  in  love,  “may  be  able  to  comprehend 
with  all  saints  what  is  the  breadth,  and  length, 
and  depth,  and  height ;  and  to  know  the  love 
of  Christ,  which  passeth  knowledge.” 

Let  us  contemplate  the  love  of  Christ  in  all 
its  extent,  and  in  all  its  vastness.  When  did  it 
commence  ?  In  the  past  eternity.  The  love  of 
Christ  to  his  people  extends  from  eternity. 
Though  it  was  manifested  in  time,  yet  it  existed 
from  eternity.  “Then  I  was  by  him  as  one 
brought  up  with  him,  and  I  was  daily  his  de¬ 
light,  rejoicing  always  before  him  ;  rejoicing  in 
the  habitable  part  of  his  earth,  and  my  delights 
were  with  the  sons  of  men.”* 

Christ  says  to  each  of  his  chosen  ones, 

*  Rom  viii,  35-39  *  Prov.  viii.  30,  31. 


THE  LOYE  OF  CHEIST. 


il  1  have  loved  thee  with  an  everlasting  love  • 
therefore,  with  loving  kindness  have  1  drawn 
diee.”* 

Oh !  wonderful  thought,  everlasting  love ! 

*  Who  can  comprehend  the  import  of  these 
words,  everlasting  love  ?  Christ  loves  us,  and 
his  love  is  everlasting.  Yes,  dear  believer, 
Christ  loved  you  before  the  world  was  created  ; 
before  you  had  an  existence.  From  all  eternity 
he  thought  upon  your  lost  condition  by  nature ; 
and  oh  !  how  willingly,  how  gladly,  he  left  the 
throne  of  glory  to  bring  salvation  to  you.  His 
love  never  had  a  beginning.  “This  river  of 
love  began  to  flow  before  the  world  was  ;  from 
everlasting,  from  the  beginning,  or  ever  the 
earth  was.  Christ’s  love  to  us  is  as  old  as  the 
Father’s  love  to  the  Son.  This  river  of  light 
began  to  stream  from  Jesus  towards  us,  before 
the  beams  poured  from  the  sun  ;  before  the  riv¬ 
ers  flowed  to  the  ocean ;  before  angel  loved 
angel,  or  man  loved  man  :  before  creatures  were, 
Christ  loved  us.  This  is  a  great  deep ;  who 
can  fathom  it  ?  This  love  passeth  knowledge.”! 

The  love  of  Christ  will  reach  into  eternity  ; 
will  extend  throughout  its  immeasurable  ages : 
it  has  no  end.  This  is  the  sweet  declaration  of 
Christ,  with  regard  to  his  love,  that  “  the  moun- 


*  Jer.  xxxi.  3. 


f  M’Cheyne. 


66  THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIS! 


tains  shall  depart,  and  the  hills  be  removed, 
but  my  kindness  shall  not  depart  from  thee, 
neither  shall  the  covenant  of  my  peace  be  re¬ 
moved,  saith  the  Lord  that  hath  mercy  on 
thee.”* 

0,  to  be  among  that  happy  number,  who  will 
enjoy  in  heaven  the  eternal  favor  of  Christ’s 
love,  which  will  make  eternity  itself  one  joyous 
unclouded  day  of  everlasting  light  and  immor¬ 
tal  felicity ! 

Blessed  Jesus!  Interest  each  of  us  in  thy  un¬ 
changing  loving-kindness,  which  is  better  than 
life.  0,  let  one  ray  of  thy  most  wonderful  love 
light  on  our  benighted  hearts :  soften  them  by 
the  manifestation  of  thy  grace. 

Of  the  vastness  of  the  love  of  Christ,  we  can 
form  no  adequate  conceptions ;  much  less  can 
we,  by  any  power  of  the  understanding,  com¬ 
prehend  it.  To  use  the  emphatic  language  of 
an  old  divine, f  “it  is  as  if  a  child  could  take 
the  globe  of  earth  and  sea  in  his  two  short 
arms.”  The  love  of  Christ  is  like  a  great  ocean, 
whose  depths  are  unfathomable.  There  is  a 
height  in  this  love,  to  which  no  human  intelli¬ 
gence  can  soar ;  a  depth  which  no  created  mind 
can  penetrate. 

In  viewing  the  love  of  Christ,  there  lies  a 

9  Is.  liv.  10.  f  Samue.  Rutherford 


THE  LOVE  OP  CHRIST. 


57 


wide  unbounded  prospect  before  us.  The  men¬ 
tal  vision  wanders  at  liberty  over  this  illimitable 
range.  The  love  of  Christ  is  circumscribed  by 
no  limits ;  it  is  bounded  by  no  horizon :  it  is 
one  vast  expanse  in  which  the  soul  may  lose 
itself  in  wonder,  delight,  and  admiration. 

The  pious  M’Cheyne,  whom  we  have  already 
quoted,  has  the  following  beautiful  remarks  on 
the  love  of  Christ.  “Paul  says:  ‘The  love  of 
Christ  passetli  knowledge.’  It  is  like  the  blue 
sky  into  which  you  may  see  clearly,  but  the 
real  vastness  of  which  you  cannot  measure.  It 
is  like  the  deep,  deep  sea,  into  whose  bosom  you 
can  look  a  little  way,  but  its  depths  are  unfath¬ 
omable.  It  has  a  breadth  without  a  bound, 
length  without  top,  and  depth  without  bottom. 
If  holy  Paul  said  this,  who  was  so  deeply  taught 
in  divine  things  ;  who  had  been  in  the  third 
heaven,  and  seen  the  glorified  face  of  Jesus; 
how  much  more  may  we,  poor  and  weak  be¬ 
lievers,  look  into  that  love,  and  say,  It  passeth 
knowledge  I” 

If  we  cannot  compiehencl  the  love  of  Christ; 
if  we  cannot  fathom  it,  let  us  contemplate  and 
admire  it. 

It  was  the  love  of  Christ  that  led  him  to  as- 
S'lme  human  nature,  in  order  that  he  might  suf¬ 
fer  and  die,  and  thus  atone  for  the  sins  of  his 
people  :  it  was  this  love  tha  induced  him  to 


-r 


68  THE  LOVE  0  J  CHRIST 


leave  the  bosom  of  liis  Father,  and  the  adoration 
of  the  angelic  host,  and  to  sojourn  among  guilty 
worthless  mortals. 

It  was  love  that  led  him  to  exchange  the 
throne  of  glory  for  the  manger  of  Bethlehem 
and  the  cross  of  Calvary.  It  was  love  thal 
made  his  whole  life,  from  the  manger  to  the 
cross,  one  of  grief  and  sorrow.  Love  made  him 
“  a  man  of  sorrows,  and  acquainted  with  grief.” 

Well  might  the  blessed  Jesus  have  exclaimed, 
“  Behold  and  see  if  there  be  any  sorrow  like 
unto  my  sorrow,  wherewith  the  Lord,  hath  af¬ 
flicted  me  in  the  day  of  his  fierce  anger.”*  It  was 
love  that  made  him  suffer  and  die  for  sinners. 
Yes,  love  led  him  to  the  gloomy  garden  of  Geth- 
semane;  love  drew  him  to  the  judgment  hall ; 
love  nailed  him  to  the  cross  ;  and  love  enabled 
him  to  exclaim  with  his  expiring  breath,  “It  is 
finished.” 

“  Greater  love  hath  no  man  than  this.”  The 
love  of  Christ  is  wonderful  love :  it  is  surpass¬ 
ing,  boundless  love.  Look  at  that  amazing  love 
which  Christ  has  manifested  to  sinners ;  and 
may  you  be  able  to  comprehend  with  all  saints 
vvliat  is  its  breadth,  and  length,  and  depth,  and 
height ! 

"W  hen  you  intently  contemplate  that  redeem- 


*  Lam  i.  12. 


THE  LOVE  OF  differ. 


59 


mg  lo\e  which  brought  Christ  from  his  throne, 
to  live  and  suffer,  and  die  for  sinners,  does  not 
your  breast  heave  with  emotions  of  gratitude; 
does  not  your  soul  rise  in  adoration,  and  is  it  not 
lost  in  wonder,  love,  and  praise  ? 

Have  you  a  heart  so  cold  as  not  to  be  warmed 
by  such  unbounded  love ;  a  heart  so  hard  as  not 
to  be  softened  by  such  grace  as  is  here  set  be¬ 
fore  the  eyes  of  a  wondering  world  ? 

No  feeble  mortal  can  express  the  vastness  of 
the  love  of  Christ  to  sinners !  It  is  a  mystery 
which  eternity  itself  will  never  fully  unravel. 
“  God  only  knows  the  love  of  God.”  We  know 
that  it  is  great  love,  and  that  it  is  manifested  to 
sinners,  but  it  is  love  too  boundless  for  the  most 
capacious  mind  to  grasp.  None  can  comprehend 
its  vastness :  none  can  measure  its  immensity ; 
language  fails  to  describe  it;  human  thought 
cannot  fathom  it;  time  cannot  disclose  its  depths; 
and  vast  eternity  itself  will  roll  away  in  its  con¬ 
tinual  and  delightful  contemplation. 

How  transcendent  is  the  love  of  Christ!  It 
passeth  knowledge. 

O  my  soul,  art  thou  not  lost  in  wonder  and 
admiration  when  thou  contemplatest  this  divine 
love — the  love  of  Jesus?  And  love  so  amazing, 
love  so  boundless  as  the  love  of  Christ,  should 
call  forth  all  our  loftiest  s  rains  of  praise,  and 
exercise  our  highest  powers  if  mind  in  devout 


60  THE  LOYE  OF  CUBIST. 


contemplations.  It  should  be  the  constant  ffleme 
of  our  meditation  here,  till  we  come  to  possess 
its  full  and  eternal  enjoyment  in  that  world 
where  all  is  love.  And  if  we  possess  the  love 
of  Christ  on  earth,  it  will  cheer  our  hearts, 
brighten  our  prospects,  alleviate  our  sorrows, 
mitigate  our  afflictions,  and  emit  a  ray  of  hope 
that  will  enable  us  to  rejoice  with  joy  unspeak¬ 
able  and  fall  of  glory,  even  in  this  vale  of 
tears. 

To  be  the  object  of  Christ’s  love  is  desirable, 
and  it  is  a  blessed  attainment  to  know  that  you 
enjoy  it ;  to  say  with  Paul,  “  I  am  crucified  with 
Christ :  nevertheless,  I  live ;  yet  not  I,  but  Christ 
liveth  in  me;  and  the  life  which  I  now  live  in 
the  flesh,  I  live  by  the  faith  of  the  Son  of  God, 
who  loved  me,  and  gave  himself  for  me.”*  There 
is  nothing  so  much  calculated  to  drive  from  sin, 
or  excite  to  good  works,  as  a  ray  of  the  love  of 
Christ  darting  into  the  sinner’s  heart :  this  will 
more  effectually  melt  it,  than  all  the  terrors  of 
the  law,  or  the  thunders  of  Sinai. 

The  love  of  Christ  fills  the  soul  with  immortal 
joys.  There  is  nothing  so  reviving  to  the  be¬ 
liever,  as  the  sweet  thought  of  Christ’s  love  to 
him. 

Tlere  is  no  subject  stored  with  such  an  exuff 

*  Gal  ii.  20. 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


61 


erance  of  divine  consolation,  and  heavenly  joy 
as  that  of  redeeming  love — the  love  of  the  Son 
of  God  to  a  lost  world.  Every  other  subject 
loses  its  lustre  when  contrasted  with  this  sub¬ 
lime,  soul-reviving  theme;  and  nothing  tends  so 
effectually  to  expand,  elevate,  and  purify  the 
soul,  as  that  faith  u  which  worketh  by  love.” 
And  what  do  we  not  owe  to  the  love  of  Christ? 
All  the  comforts  and  happiness  of  life,  and  all 
the  joys  of  a  blissful  eternity  flow  from  this 
love. 

You  should  meditate  much  upon  the  love  of 
Christ ;  and  may  that  love  ever  glow  within  you, 
and  be  like  a  perpetual  fire  burning  upon  the 
altar  of  your  heart.  “  The  love  of  Christ  is  a 
subject  too  lofty  for  a  seraph’s  harp.  The  soul, 
renewed  by  the  spirit,  is  often  incapable  of  ex¬ 
pressing  the  sublime  feelings  which  pass  through 
the  mind,  when  thinking  on  this  glorious  sub¬ 
ject.  The  love  of  Christ  conveys  a  joy  to  the 
believer’s  heart,  which  is  unspeakable  and  full 
of  glory.  The  tongue  cannot  express  the  delight 
of  heart  which  arises  from  the  manifestation  of 
this  love. 

“The  joy  of  harvest,  the  joy  of  the  bride¬ 
groom  on  his  wedding  day ;  the  joy  of  victory, 
and  taking  great  spoils  from  the  enemy  ;  the  joy 
of  a  poor  man  in  finding  great  treasures;  all 
these  are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  with  the 
<3 


G2 


THE  LOYE  OF  CHRIST. 


jov  and  exultation  of  the  believer’s  heart,  on 
the  manifestation  of  this  love  to  his  souL”* 
"What  does  the  blessed  Jesus  deserve  for  such 
unbounded  love  to  sinners?  All  our  hearts 
should  be  devoted  to  his  service,  and  all  our 
affections  should  be  placed  upon  him.  We 
should  love  him,  because  he  first  loved  us. 
“Whom  having  not  seen,  ye  love;  in  whom, 
though  now  ye  see  him  not,  yet  believing,  ye 
rejoice  with  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  gloryjj* 
0  to  be  made  like  the  adorable  Eedeemer,  and 
to  praise  him  throughout  the  countless  ages  of 
eternity,  for  the  wonders  of  his  redeeming  love ! 
May  this  be  the  desire  of  every  reader ;  and  may 
each  be  enabled  to  exclaim  with  the  Psalmist, 
u  Whom  have  I  in  heaven  but  thee  ?  and  there 
is  none  upon  earth  that  I  desire  besides  thee  I’’J 

“One  there  is,  above  all  others, 

Well  deserves  the  name  of  Friend : 

His  is  love  beyond  a  brother’s ; 

Costly,  free,  and  knows  no  end. 

They  who  once  his  kindness  prove, 

Find  it  everlasting  love. 

“  Which  of  all  our  friends  to  save  us, 

Could  or  wot, Id  have  shed  their  f  lood ! 

But  our  Jests  died  to  have  us 
Reconciled,  in  him  to  God ; 

This  was  boundless  love  indeed 
Jesus  is  a  friend  in  need.” — Newton. 

*  Yin  )ent.  f  1  Pet.  i.  8.  \  Ps.  lxxiii.  26. 


I 


THE  LOVE  OF  ,HRISr.  63 


CHAPTER  Y. 

THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST  IN  THE  BESTOWMENT  OF  GRACE, 
IN  THE  GIFT  OF  HIS  WORD,  AND  IN  THE  INSTITU-  ' 
TION  OF  DIVINE  ORDINANCES. 

“The  Lord  will  give  grace.” — Psalm  lxxxiv.  11. 

“I  have  given  them  thy  word.” — Jonx  xvii.  14. 

“  He  gave  some,  apostles ;  and  some,  prophets  ;  and 
some,  evangelists ;  and  some,  pastors  and  teachers.” — Eph. 
iv.  11,  12. 

11  The  Lord  will  give  grace.”*  But  will  he 
give  grace  to  sinners?  Yes,  to  great  sinners. 
Paul  was  the  chief  of  sinners,  and  yet  to  him 
was  the  grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus  manifested.  lie 
asserts,  concerning  himself,  that  “  The  grace  of 
our  Lord  was  exceeding  abundant,  with  faith 
and  love  which  is  in  Christ  JesusTf 

Oh !  what  surpassing,  boundless  love,  has 
Christ  manifested  to  sinners  !  And  on  millions 
of  Adam’s  lost  and  guilty  race,  who  were  once 
as  vile  as  sin  could  make  them,  has  he  in  his 
great  love  bestowed  his  boundless  grace.  It  is 
his  love  that  makes  sinners  saints,  and  distin¬ 
guishes  them  from  tin?  rest  of  mankind ;  and 

*  Psalm  lxxxiv.  11.  \  1  Tin  i.  14. 


i 


64 


THE  LOVE  j)F  CHK1ST. 


every  sinner  that  will  enter  heaven’s  gates,  mast 
first  feel  the  constraining  influence  of  this  love. 
IIow  sweet  are  the  words,  “  By  grace  (without 
merit)  ye  are  saved  1”  Here  is  an  overflowing 
fountain  of  divine  consolation  for  guilty  sinners. 
What  wonderful  love  is  here  manifested  to  us ! 

“God,  who  is  rich  in  mercy,  for  his  great 
love  wherewith  he  loved  us,  even  when  we  were 
dead  in  sins,  hath  quickened  us  together  with 
Christ  (by  grace  ye  are  saved) ;  and  hath  raised 
us  up  together,  and  made  us  sit  together  in 
heavenly  places,  in  Christ  Jesus ;  that  in  the 
ages  to  come,  he  might  show  the  exceeding 
riches  of  his  grace  in  his  kindness  towards  us, 
through  Christ  Jesus.”* 

This  grace  is  greatly  celebrated  by  prophets, 
and  apostles,  and  saints.  Paul  cries,  “  By  the 
grace  of  God,  I  am  what  I  am.”  The  Psalmist 
exclaims,  “  How  excellent  is  thy  loving  kind¬ 
ness,  0  God  !  therefore  the  children  of  men  put 
their  trust  under  the  shadow  of  thy  wings.”  A 
good  man  says,  “  Nothing  but  free  grace  makes 


*  Eph.  ii.  4-7.  “  Most  amazingly  rich  mercy !  most  as¬ 

tonishingly  great  love  When  dead  in  sins,  blinded  by 
pride  to  our  wretchedness,  and  full  of  enmity  against  God 
and  goodness,  even  then  he  loved  us  with  great  love,  and 
of  rich  mercy  quickened  us.  0  .ook  at,  live  and  feed  upon 
this  rich  mercy  and  great  love  Oh  .  to  grace  what  migl  ty 
debtors.” — Mason. 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


65 


any  difference  between  me  and  the  vilest  of  sin¬ 
ners.”  One  says,  “I  know  no  sweeter  way  to 
heaven,  than  through  free  grace  and  hard  trials 
together ;  and  where  grace  is,  hard  trials  are 
seldom  wanting.”  Another  says,  “  Two  things 
I  chiefly  know  :  one  is,  that  I  am  a  great  sinner ; 
the  other  is,  that  Jesus  Christ  is  a  great  Saviour. 
0  the  riches  of  divine  grace  !” 

When  Christ  shall  bring  forth  the  headstone 
of  his  living,  glorious  temple,  all  the  redeemed 
shall  shout  “  Grace,  grace,  unto  it.”*  Grace  is 
glory  begun,  glory  is  grace  perfected.  Grace  is 
the  first  degree  of  glory.  The  Lord  will  give 
grace  and  glory  too.  0  what  precious  words  1 
who  can  weigh  their  import  ? 

“Amazing  grace !  (how  sweet  the  sound  !) 

That  saved  a  wretch  like  me! 

I  once  was  lost,  hut  now  am  found  ; 

Was  blind,  but  now  I  see. 

“  ’Twas  grace  that  taught  my  heart  to  fear 
And  grace  my  fears  relieved; 

How  precious  did  that  grace  appear, 

The  hour  I  first  believed ! 

‘  Through  man}?-  dangers,  toils,  and  snares, 

I  have  already  come : 

Tis  grace  has  brought  me  safe  thus  far, 

And  grace  will  lead  me  home. 


6* 


%  Zech.  iv.  7 


66 


THE  L  JYE  OF  CHRIST, 


‘The  Lord  has  promised  good  to  me, 

His  word  my  hope  secures  ; 

He  will  my  shield  and  portion  be, 

As  long  as  life  endures. 

•‘Yes,  when  this  flesh  and  heart  shall  fail, 

And  mortal  life  shall  cease, 

I  shall  possess  within  the  veil 
A  life  of  joy  and  peace. 

“The  earth  shall  soon  dissolve  like  snow 
The  sun  forbear  to  shine  ; 

But  God,  who  called  me  here,  below, 

Will  be  forever  mine.” — Newton. 

As  soon  as  sinners  are  brought  into  a  state 
grace,  they  have  need  of  continual  spirit¬ 
ual  instruction ;  and  such  instruction,  Christ 
in  his  love  has  afforded  them.  He  has  given 
them  his  word.  He  has  favored  them  with  the 
means  of  grace,  and  with  the  institution  of 
divine  ordinances.  In  the  gift  of  his  word, 
Christ  has  manifested  great  love  to  his  people. 
Whilst  journeying  through  this  bleak,  arid, 
wilderness  world,  to  mansions  of  glory,  he  re¬ 
freshes  their  souls  with  the  bread  of  life,  and 
with  the  living  waters  of  salvation.  The  word 
of  God,  and  the  ordinances  of  his  grace,  afford 
them  abundant  provisions  by  the  way. 

What  transcendent  love  has  the  blessed  Jesus 
manifested  in  giving  us  this  unspeakably  pre¬ 
cious  treasure,  the  holy  Scriptures,  in  which  are 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST  67 


contained  such  inexhaustible  stores  of  rich 
grace.  The  whole  Bible  is  an  epistle  of  love, 
unspeakable  love,  to  perishing  sinners.  It  un¬ 
folds  the  way  of  salvation  ;  it  proclaims  a  risen, 
glorified  Saviour ;  it  points  to  the  Lamb  of 
God ;  it  is  full  of  Christ,  full  of  immortal  love ; 
it  leads  the  sinner  to  glory.  0  then,  may  this 
precious  treasure,  this  precious  volume  be 
yours,  be  mine,  to  guide  us  through  this  dark, 
bewildering  scene  of  sin  and  sorrow,  to  a  bright¬ 
er  world  above.  “  Thy  word,”  says  the  psalm¬ 
ist,  “  is  a  lamp  unto  my  feet,  and  a  light  unto 
my  path.”* 

How  highly  has  the  word  of  God  been 
prized  by  every  Christian  pilgrim,  by  every 
traveller  to  Zion  :  it  was  David’s  comfort  in  his 
affliction;  it  was  his  song  in  the  house  of  his 
pilgrimage.  11  This  is  my  comfort  in  my  afflic¬ 
tion,  for  thy  word  hath  quickened  me.”  “  Thy 
statutes  have  been  my  songs  in  the  house  of  my 
pilgrimage.”f 

How  precious  was  the  holy  law  of  God,  to 
this  eminent  saint,  Israel’s  sacred  bard !  Hear 
him  exclaim,  “  0,  how  I  love  thy  law  !  it  is  my 
meditation  all  the  day.”  “  Thy  testimonies  have 
I  taken  as  a  heritage  for  ever,  for  they  are  the 
rejoicing  of  my  heart.”  “  Therefore  I  love  thy 

*  Psalm  cxix.  105.  f  Psalm  cxix.  50,  54. 


68 


THE  LOVE  Ji  CHRIST. 


commandments  above  gold ;  yea,  above  fine 
gold.”  “How  sweet  are  thy  words  unto  my 
taste !  yea,  sweeter  than  honey  to  my  mouth.” 
“Consider  how  I  love  thy  precepts.”  “My 
soul  hath  kept  thy  testimonies,  and  I  love  them 
exceedingly.”* 

Reader,  may  you  also  love  the  word  of  God, 
and  may  it  ever  be  your  greatest  delight  to 
read  its  sacred  pages.  You  cannot  prize  this 
blessed  book  sufficiently.  Blessed  Jesus,  what 
do  we  not  owe  thee  for  the  gift  of  this  precious 
volume ! 


“Let  everlasting  thanks  be  thine, 

For  such  a  bright  display, 

As  makes  a  world  of  darkness  shine 
"With  beams  of  heavenly  day. 

“My  soul  rejoices  to  pursue 
The  steps  of  him  I  love  ; 

Till  glory  breaks  upon  my  view, 

In  brighter  worlds  above.” — Cowper. 

In  his  love,  Christ  “  has  given  unto  us  ex¬ 
ceeding  great  and  precious  promises.”f  May 
you  ever  contemplate  these  “precious  prom¬ 
ises;”  and  may  your  prayer  be,  “Open  thou 
mine  eyes,  that  I  may  behold  wondrous  things 
out  of  thy  law.”  If  yon  are  a  believer,  you 


*  Psalm  cxix. 


f  2  Pet.  i.  4, 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST  69 


will  love  and  value  the  word  of  God ;  y.u  will 
meditate  much  on  it.  It  is  true  of  a  righteous 
man,  thai  “uis  delight  is  in  the  law  of  the 
Lord,  and  in  his  law  doth  he  meditate  day  and 
night.”*  On  a  dying  bed,  you  will  not  regret 
having  spent  too  much  time  in  the  study  of  the 
Scriptures,  but  you  may  lament  that  you  had 
not  devoted  more  of  your  time  to  the  diligent 
perusal  of  the  divine  pages.  When  Salmasius, 
one  of  the  most  consummate  scholars  of  his  age, 
came  to  die,  he  exclaimed,  “  0 !  I  have  lost  a 
world  of  time  I  time,  the  most  precious  thing  in 
the  world !  whereof  had  I  but  one  year  more,  I 
would  spend  it  in  reading  David’s  Psalms  and 
Paul’s  Epistles.”  The  immortal  John  Locke, 
when  asked  which  was  the  surest  way  for  a 
young  man  to  attain  a  knowledge  of  the  Chris¬ 
tian  religion,  replied,  “  Let  him  study  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  especially  the  New  Testament : 
therein  are  contained  the  words  of  eternal  life  ; 
it  has  God  for  its  author,  salvation  for  its  end, 
and  truth,  without  any  mixture  of  error,  for  its 
matter.” 

It  is  from  the  Bible  that  we  obtain  that  knowl¬ 
edge,  which  will  guide  us  to  the  abodes  of  im¬ 
mortality  which  will  lead  us  to  the  glory  and 
hon  dt  that  will  endure  when  sun  and  stars  have 

*  I'salm  i.  2. 


70 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST 


lost  their  light.  Then  study  the  word  of  God. 
“  It  embodies  all,”  says  an  eloquent  living  writer, 
“  that  a  Christian  in  this  pilgrimage  can  need : 
it  is  his- only  chart  through  this  tempestuous 
life ;  in  trouble,  it  is  his  consolation ;  in  pros¬ 
perity,  his  monitor;  in  difficulty,  his  guide; 
amid  the  darkness  of  death,  and  while  descend¬ 
ing  into  the  shadowy  valley,  it  is  the  day-star 
that  illuminates  his  path,  makes  his  dying  eye 
bright  with  hope,  and  cheers  his  soul  with  the 
prospect  of  immortal  glory.”* 

Always  remember  the  divine  admonition  of 
our  blessed  Saviour,  u  Search  the  scriptures,  for 
in  them  ye  think  ye  have  eternal  life,  and  they 
are  they  which  testify  of  me.”f 

And  “  Let  the  word  of  Christ  dwell  in  you 
richly  in  all  wisdom.”J  Let  the  language  of 
your  heart  ever  be, 

“  May  this  blest  volume  ever  lie 
Close  to  my  heart,  and  near  mine  eye ; 

Till  life’s  last  hour  my  soul  engage, 

And  be  my  chosen  heritage.” 

In  the  institution  of  the  ordinances  of  grace, 
Christ  has  manifested  the  tenderest  love  and 
concern  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  his  people 


*  Rev.  Dr.  Wat^r  jury. 

t  Col.  iii.  16. 


f  Jchn  v.  39. 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHKIST. 


71 


while  in  this  world.  In  his  love,  “he  gave  some, 
apostles  ;  and  some,  prophets ;  and  some,  evan¬ 
gelists  ;  and  some,  pastors  and  teachers ;  for  the 
perfecting  of  the  saints,  for  the  edifying  of  the 
body  of  Christ.”* 

A  preached  Gospel  is  the  gift  of  Christ — a 
gift  of  love  to  a  lost  world.  The  Eedeemer’s 
last  command,  was,  “  Go  ye  into  all  the  world, 
and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature.”f  This 
blessed  gospel,  Christ- in  his  love  has  sent  to  us. 
The  lines  are  fallen  unto  us  in  pleasant  places ; 
yea,  wre  have  a  goodly  heritage.^ 

Blessed  be  God !  that  the  glad  tidings  of  life 
and  salvation,  through  a  crucified  Kedeemer, 
have  reached  our  ears.  0,  happy  they,  whose 
lot  is  cast  within  the  joyful  sound  of  the  glo¬ 
rious  gospel !  “  Blessed  is  the  people  that 

know  the  joyful  sound  ;  they  shall  walk,  O 
Lord,  in  the  light  of  thy  countenance.” § 
“Blessed  are  they  that  dwell  in  thy  house  ;  they 
will  be  still  praising  thee.”]  What  a  blessed 
privilege  is  it,  that  we  enjo}r,  of  entering  into 
the  house  of  God,  with  voices  of  joy  and  praise  ! 
Let  us  prize  this  privilege,  and  let  us  love  to 
dwell  in  the  house  of  God.  How  ardentlv  did 

4/ 

David  love  the  sanctuary  of  God  !  “  Lord,  I 

*  Epli.  iv.  11,  12.  f  Mark  xvi.  15. 

\  Psalm  xvi.  6.  §  Psalm  lxxxix.  15. 

U  Psalm  lxxxiv.  4. 


72 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


have  loved  the  habitation  of  thy  house,  and  the 
place  where  thine  honor  dwelleth.”*  “  One 
thing  have  I  desired  of  the  Lord,  that  will  I 
seek  after;  that  I  may  dwell  in  the  house  of 
the  Lord  all  the  days  of  my  life,  to  behold  the 
beauty  of  the  Lord,  and  to  inquire  in  his  tern 
ple.”f  To  David,  no  spot  on  earth  was  so  dear 
as  Zion’s  holy  hill ;  no  service  so  sweet  as  that 
of  divine  worship.  How  highly  should  you, 
who  live  amidst  the  meridian  splendor  of  Chris¬ 
tianity,  prize  the  means  of  grace  which  you  en¬ 
joy  I  With  the  Psalmist  may  you  exclaim 
from  the  heart,  “  How  amiable  are  thy  taberna¬ 
cles,  0  Lord  of  hosts  I  a  day  in  thy  courts  is 
better  than  a  thousand.  I  had  rather  be  a  door¬ 
keeper  in  the  house  of  my  God,  than  to  dwell  in 
the  tents  of  wickedness.”^; 

In  the  institution  of  the  sacramental  supper, 
Christ  has  afforded  a  grand  exhibition  of  love. 
In  his  love,  yea  in  his  dying  love,  he  instituted 
it.  The  Lord’s  Supper  is  the  sweetest  of  all  or¬ 
dinances;  it  is,  emphatically,  a  feast  of  love. 
The  very  banner  that  Christ  unfurls  over  the 
head  of  every  believing  communicant,  is  love, 
love  written  in  such  legible  characters  that  he 
who  runs  may  read.  “  He  brought  me  to  the 

*  Psalm  xxxvi.  8.  f  Psalm  xxvii.  4. 

X  Psalm  lxxxiv.  1,  10. 


rHE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


73 


banqueting  house,  and  his  banner  over  me  was 
love.”*  With  what  joy  does  the  redeemed  sin¬ 
ner  approach  this  sacred  table,  that  he  may  com¬ 
memorate  the  dying  love  of  his  blessed  Saviour ! 
His  language  is,  “  I  sat  down  under  his  shadow 
with  great  delight,  and  his  fruit  was  sweet  tc  my 
taste.”f 

This  ordinance,  exhibiting  as  it  does  a  cruci¬ 
fied  Saviour,  vividly  displays  the  vastness  of 
redeeming  love  and  the  riches  of  divine  grace. 
A  loving  Saviour  has  spread  this  table  for  us, 
and  he  cries,  “  Eat,  0  friends ;  drink,  yea,  drink 
abundantly,  0  beloved.”^  What  blessings  are 
here  provided  for  dying  sinners  ?  the  bread  of 
life,  the  waters  of  salvation,  remission  of  sins ; 
yea,  an  abundant  pardon,  peace  with  God,  a 
meetness  for  heaven  I 

Come  and  show  your  love  to  Christ,  at  this 
feast  of  love ;  remember,  and  obey  his  dying  in- 
j  unction,  11  This  do  in  remembrance  of  me.”  Can 
vou  lay  any  claim  to  the  name  of  a  Christian, 
while  you  live  in  the  utter  neglect  of  this  duty  ? 
Surely  not.  The  love  of  Christ  should  constrain 
you  to  observe  it.  Surely  it  becomes  a  ransomed 
captive,  a  captive  bought  at  such  an  inestimable 
price,  to  testify  his  obligations  to  his  loving  Re- 

*-  Cant.  iL  5.  f  Cant.  ii.  JL 


7 


$  Cant  v.  I 


74  .  THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST 


deemer !  “  Come,  for  all  things  are  now  ready. 
Come  to  the  Lord’s  table,  and  behold  the  most 
amazing  love  manifested  to  you,  the  infinite  love 
of  the  dying  Son  of  God ! 

0  Blessed  Jesus !  may  it  be  our  delight,  on 
earth  to  confess  and  own  thee  as  our  divine 
Redeemer  before  men,  and  to  commemorate  thy 
dying  love  in  this  sweet  ordinance.  Refreshed 
by  that  spiritual  provision,  which  thou  hast  laid 
up  for  us  in  the  gospel  of  thy  grace,  may  we 
press  onward  in  our  pilgrimage  journey  heaven¬ 
ward  ;  and  at  last  realize  the  joys  of  a  blessed 
home  in  the  world  of  glory. 

Dear  believer,  we  shall  soon  exchange  the 
table  below  for  the  table  above,  Tesua  our 

i 

divine  Redeemer,  himself  shall  be  ar 
that  table,  and  shall  feed  us,  and  lead  us  unto  liv¬ 
ing  fountains  of  waters,  and  God  shall  wipe  away 
all  tears  from  our  eyes.  Till  then,  let  us  en¬ 
deavor  to  be  profited  by  all  those  means  of  grace, 
with  which  Christ  in  his  love  has  favored  us. 
“  Grow  in  grace,  and  in  the  knowledge  of  our 
Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.  To  him  be 
glory  both  now  and  for  ever.  Amen.”f 

*  L?:ke  xv\  17  f  $  Pet.  iii.  18. 


V 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


75 


CHAPTER  V  . 

THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST  IN  AFFLICTIONS. 

Whom  the  Lord  loveth  he  chasteneth,  and  scourg<*tb 
«  ery  son  whom  he  receiveth.” — IIeb.  xii.  6. 

“Although  affliction  cometh  not  forth  of  the  dust,  neither 
doth  trouble  spring  out  of  the  ground ;  yet  man  is  born  unto 
trouble  as  the  sparks  fly  upward.” — Job  v.  6,  7. 

Affliction  comes  upon  all.  None  are  ex¬ 
empt  from  the  sufferings  incident  to  our  fallen 
nature.  The  young,  the  old,  the  rich  and  the 
poor,  alike  feel  the  withering  touch  of  affliction 
and  of  sorrow.  Disease  invades  the  strongest 
constitution,  and  affliction  prostrates  the  might¬ 
iest  energy.  Often  those  in  the  prime  and  vigor 
of  life  are  laid  down  on  the  bed  of  sickness,  and 
made  to  feel  that  they  are  dying  creatures.  How 
true  it  is,  that  “  man  that  is  born  of  a  woman  is 
of  few  days,  and  full  of  trouble!”'* 

The  children  of  God  are  not  exempted  from 
the  afflictions  of  this  life ;  but  it  is  their  blessed 
consolation  to  know  that  they  have  a  Friend  to 
sympathize  with  them  in  all  their  sorrows  and 


*  Job  xiv.  . 


76  THE  L(  VE  OF  CHE1ST. 


sufferings,  while  in  this  mortal  state.  Yes,  Jesus 
is  that  friend,  who  watches  over  their  sick  beds, 
and  consoles  their  desponding  spirits  amid  the 
frailty  of  sinking  nature.  Oh  I  how  often  does 
the  blessed  Jesus  wonderfully  manifest  his  love 
to  his  afflicted  ones  I  How  often  does  he  whis¬ 
per  words  of  peace  and  love  and  consolation  in 

their  ears !  How  often,  on  the  manifestation  of 
/  ' 

his  love,  do  their  souls  overflow  with  joy,  even 
when  their  bodies  are  racked  with  severe  pain ! 

Christ  will  always  make  that  promise  good, 
“  As  th}/  days,  so  shall  thy  strength  be and 
amidst  all  our  trials  and  afflictions  here,  we  may 
rely  with  unshaken  confidence  on  the  promises 
of  our  loving  Redeemer,  who  will  not  forsake 
us  in  the  hour  of  extremity.  Then  he  will 
manifest  his  love  to  us,  and  display  the  riches 
of  his  grace  In  all  our  trials,  his  promise  runs 
thus :  “  My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee,  for  my 
strength  is  made  perfect  in  weakness.”* 

All  the  afflictions  of  the  children  of  God  are 
designed  for  their  good.  They  come  from  a 
kind  heavenly  Rather,  from  a  God  of  love  ;  and 
one  of  their  designs  is,  the  purification  and 
sanctification  of  believers.  “I  will  turn  my 
hand  upon  thee,  and  purely  purge  away  thy 
dross,  and  take  away  all  thy  tin.”f  “  By  this, 

*  2  Cor.  )  f  Is  i.  25. 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST  77 


therefore,  shall  all  the  iniquity  of  Jacob  be 
purged ;  and  this  is  all  the  fruit  to  take  away 
his  sin.”*  “Some  of  them  of  understanding 
shall  fall,  to  try  them,  and  to  purge,  and  to 
make  them  white,  even  to  the  time  of  the  end.”f 
“  Many  shall  be  purified,  and  made  white,  and 
tried.”:): 

Afflictions  make  us  meet  for  glory  :  they  en¬ 
able  us  to  obtain  a  correct  view  of  the  vanity  of 
terrestrial  happiness  ;  they  tend,  through  grace, 
to  fix  our  souls  on  Him,  in  whom  alone  we  can 
find  true  happiness  and  immortal  joys.  Happy 
sickness,  that  leads  the  soul  to  Jesus,  the  only 
source  of  blessedness ! 

Afflictions,  then,  promote  our  spiritual  wel¬ 
fare,  and  are  ordered  for  our  good.  It  is  ex¬ 
pressly  declared,  “  that  all  things  work  together 
for  good,  to  them  that  love  God,  to  them  who 
are  the  called  according  to  his  purpose  ;”§  and 
afflictions  are  among  the  “all  things”  that  are 
beneficial  to  the  present  and  eternal  welfare  and 
happiness  of  God’s  children.  Afflicted  believer, 
Christ  says  to  you,  “  What  I  do,  thou  knowest 
not  now  ;  but  thou  shalt  know  hereafter.”] 
You  will  soon  know  the  merciful  design,  which 
Christ  had  in  afflicting  you.  In  the  light  of 

*  Is.  xxii.  9.  f  Dar..  xi.  35.  \  Dan.  xii.  10 

§  Rom  viii.  23.  Jolinxiii.  7. 


78 


THE  LOYE  OF  CHRIST. 


eternity,  you  will  look  back  and  say  that  he  has 
brought  you  by  a  way  that  is  right. 

In  their  affiictnns  here,  Christ  manifests  most 
tender  love  to  believers:  he  renews  their  faint¬ 
ing  souls,  by  the  manifestation  of  liis  love  and 
the  revelation  of  his  grace ;  he  strengthens  them 
inwardly.  “In  the  day  when  I  cried,  thou 
answeredst  me,  and  strengthenedst  me  with 
strength  in  my  soul.”* 

It  was  the  manifestation  of  the  love  and  grace 
of  the  Lord  Jesus,  that  supported  the  Apostle 
Paul  amidst  all  his  afflictions.  “For  which 
cause,”  says  he,  “  we  faint  not ;  but  though  our 
outward  man  perish,  yet  the  inward  man  is  re¬ 
newed  day  by  day.  For  our  light  affliction, 
which  is  but  for  a  moment,  worketh  for  us  a  far 
more  exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory; 
while  we  look  not  at  the  things  which  are  seen, 
but  at  the  things  which  are  not  seen :  for  the 
things  which  are  seen  are  temporal,  but  the 
things  which  are  not  seen  are  eternal.”f 

How  greatly  will  our  light  afflictions  and 
trials  here,  add  to  the  weight  of  that  crown  of 
glory,  which  we  shall  wear  hereafter !  How 
will  they  sweeten  that  eternal  rest  which  re- 
maineth  for  the  people  of  God,  our  happy  homo 
in  heaven ! 


*  Ps  cxxxviiL  3, 


I  Cor.  iv.  16,  13. 


1HE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


79 


Were  the  sun  of  prosperity  always  to  shine 
upon  us,  we  would  soon  forget  our  Father’s 
house,  our  heritage  above.  Christ  sends  us  af¬ 
flictions  to  tell  us  that  this  is  not  our  rest,  that 
our  blessed  home  is  far  above  this  scene  of  per¬ 
ishing  mortality.  Here,  we  must  be  fitted  for 
glory  ;  and  Christ  says  to  his  followers,  “  In  the 
world  ye  shall  have  tribulation.”*  It  is  through 
much  tribulation  that  we  must  enter  into  the 
kingdom  of  God.  Of  that  happy  throng  who 
stand  around  the  throne  of  the  Eternal,  it  is 
said,  “  These  are  they  which  came  out  of  great 
tribulation,  and  have  washed  their  robes,  and 
made  them  white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb.”f 
The  way  to  Mount  Zipn  lies  through  the  val¬ 
ley  of  Baca.  The  road  to  glory  is  a  rough 
one.  Believers  may  exclaim  with  the  Psalmist, 
“Thou,  0  God,  hast  proved  us:  thou  hast  tried 
us,  as  silver  is  tried.  Thou  broughtest  us  into 
the  net ;  thou  laidest  affliction  upon  our  loins ; 
thou  hast  caused  men  to  ride  over  our  heads ; 
we  went  through  fire  and  water;  but  thou 
broughtest  us  out  into  a  wealthy  place.”;):  But 
when  we  come  to  that  wealthy  place,  even  to 
the  heavenly  Canaan,  we  will  find  that  it  will 
make  amends  for  all  our  momentary  afflictions 

*  J  }lm  xvi.  33.  f  Rev.  v  ii.  14. 

\  Psalm  lxvi.  10-12. 


80 


THE  LOYE  OF  CHRIST. 


on  earth  *  that  one  hour  with  Christ  in  glory, 
will  make  us  forget  a  lifetime  of  suffering. 

“Though  rough  and  thorny  be  the  road, 

It  leads  thee  home,  apace,  to  God : 

Then  count  thy  present  trials  small, 

For  heaven  will  make  amends  for  all.” 

Even  now,  when  we  are  travelling  through 
this  vale  of  tears  to  mansions  of  glory,  we  have 
our  comforts  and  enjoyments.  The  love  of 
Christ  sweetens  every  affliction ;  turns  the  dark¬ 
est  night  of  adversity  into  the  light  of  day,  and 
the  saddest  night  of  weeping  into  the  morning 
of  joy.  Come  afflictions,  come  trials,  come 
whatever  may,  we  are  assured  that  all  things 
shall  work  together  for  our  good. 

Reader,  are  you  afflicted  ?  Is  it  sanctified  to 
you  ?  If  so,  look  upon  it  as  an  evidence  of 
Christ’s  love.  Let  it  ever  be  remembered,  that 
“  Whom  the  Lord  loveth  he  chasteneth,  and 
seourgeth  every  son  whom  he  receiveth.”  * 
And  again,  “  Whom  the  Lord  loveth  he  cor¬ 
rected^  even  as  a  father  the  son  in  whom  he  de- 
lighteth.”f  The  Lord  afflicts  his  people,  be¬ 
cause  he  loves  them.  “As  many  as  I  love,” 
says  Christ,  “I  rebuke  and  chasten.”J  He  does 
it  “  for  our  profit,  that  we  might  be  partakers 

*  Heb  xi  6.  f  Prov.  iii.  2  2 

t  Rev.  iii.  19. 


THE  LOVE  CF  CHRIST,  81 


of  his  holiness.”  And  though  now,  “No  chast¬ 
ening  for  the  present  seemeth  10  be  joyous,  but 
grievous;  nevertheless,  afterward  it  yieldeth  the 
peaceable  fruit  of  righteousness  unto  them  which 
are  exercised  thereby.”*  Afflictions  are  often 
sent  to  arrest  the  wanderer  in  his  course,  and  to 
bring  him  back  to  God.  Many  a  child  of  God 
can  say  with  David,  who  had  often  been  tried 
and  made  to  pass  through  the  furnace  of  afflic¬ 
tion,  “Before  I  was  afflicted,  I  went  astray, 
but  now  have  I  kept  thy  word.  It  is  good  for 
me  that  I  have  been  afflicted,  that  I  might  learn 
thy  statutes.  I  know,  0  Lord,  that  thy  judg 
ments  are  right,  and  that  thou  in  faithfulness 
hast  afflicted  me.”f 

Afflictions  are  also  designed  for  the  conver¬ 
sion  of  sinners.  Thousands  have  been  chosen 
in  the  furnace  of  affliction.  Oh!  how  many 
saints  of  God,  in  every  age,  can  witness  to  the 
truth  of  these  words :  “  Behold,  I  have  refined 
thee,  but  not  with  silver ;  I  have  chosen  thee 
in  the  furnace  of  affliction.”^:  IIow  many  care¬ 
less  sinners,  under  the  softening  touch  of  af¬ 
fliction,  have  been  brought  to  Jesus,  and  have 
found  peace  in  his  atoning  blood !  How  many, 
without  the  saving  knowledge  of  Christ,  have 

*  Hei  xii.  10,  11.  f  Psaln  cxix.  67  71,  75. 

$  Is.  xlviii.  10. 


82 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


been  cast  on  beds  of  sickness,  and  there  made, 
for  the  first  time,  to  feel  that  Jesus  is  precious 
Then  they  enjoyed  his  love,  received  his  grace, 
and  knew  by  experience  that  the  Lord  is  gra¬ 
cious.  Then  affliction  became  light,  Christ  pre¬ 
cious,  and  heaven  sweet.  The  manifestation  of 
a  Saviour’s  love  dispelled  every  gloom,  and 
heavenly  light  irradiated  their  souls. 

In  affliction,  Christ  manifests  the  tenderest 
love  to  his  people,  and  then  it  is  that  they  get  a 
glimpse  of  his  matchless  perfections.  He  is  al¬ 
ways  near  them,  and  “  in  all  their  affliction  he 
is  afflicted,  and  the  angel  of  his  presence  saves 
them.”* 

How  happy  are  they  to  whom  the  love  of 
Christ  is  manifested  in  affliction  ;  in  whose 
hearts  the  love  of  God  is  shed  abroad ;  and  who 
are  filled  with  joy  unspeakable,  and  full  of 
glory  I  Such  are  enabled  to  say,  with  an  ex¬ 
perienced  apostle,  “We  glory  in  tribulations 
also  ;  knowing  that  tribulation  worketh  pati¬ 
ence  ;  and  patience,  experience ;  and  experience, 
hope ;  and  hope  maketh  not  ashamed ;  because 
the  love  of  God  is  shed  abroad  in  our  hearts  by 
the  Holy  Ghost  which  is  given  unto  us.”f 

A  young  lady  who  had  lain  on  a  bed  of  sick¬ 
ness  for  many  months,  once  declared  to  the 


*  Ts.  Ixiii.  9. 


i  Rom  v.  3-5. 


THE  LOVE  OF  JURIST 


83 


writer,  that  she  would  rather  suffer  affliction 
with  the  people  of  God,  than  enjoy  the  pleasures 
of  sin  for  a  season.  Whence  arose  this  resigna¬ 
tion  to  the  will  of  God,  amidst  extreme  suffer¬ 
ings  ?  From  the  manifestation  of  Christ’s  love ; 
from  that  love  being  shed  abroad  in  her  heart. 

“  How  often  docs  Christ  manifest  his  dear¬ 
est  love  to  his  suffering  ones,”  said  an  emi¬ 
nent  saint*  of  other  days,  during  her  sickness. 
“  Blessed  be  God  for  all  his  mercies,  and  for 
this  comfort  in  my  affliction.  0,  how  many 
mercies  I  have  !  I  want  for  nothing.  Hitherto 
I  can  say,  the  Lord  is  gracious.  He  has  been 
very  merciful  to  me,  in  sustaining  me  under  all 
my  trials.  The  Lord  brings  affliction,  but  it  is 
not  because  he  delights  to  afflict  his  children ;  it 
is  at  all  times  for  our  profit.  I  can  say  it  has 
been  good  for  me  to  be  afflicted  ;  it  has  enabled 
me  to  discern  things,  which,  when  I  was  in 
health,  I  could  not  perceive.  It  has  made  me 
know  more  of  the  vanity  and  emptiness  of  this 
world,  and  all  its  delusive  pleasures :  for  at  best 
they  are  but  vanity.” 

Said  an  amiable  and  devoted  young  minister  j* 
in  his  last  sickness,  “  I  do  not  consider  my  cir¬ 
cumstances  melancholy  or  painful.  I  am  very 

*  Hannah  Housman. 

f  Rev  Thomas  Rawson  Taylor,  late  of  Bradford  in  York 
"hire. 


84  THE  LOYE  OF  CHK1ST. 


mercifully  dealt  with.  My  passage  to  the  tomb 
is  easy.  I  have  comparatively  little  suffering, 
and  I  enjoy  that  peace  of  God  which  passeth  all 
understanding.  I  can  truly  say,  that  goodness 
and  mercy  have  followed  me  all  my  days,  in¬ 
cluding  these  suffering  days :  and  looking  up¬ 
wards  to  that  house  not  made  with  hands,  eter¬ 
nal  in  the  heavens,  I  can  also  add,  ‘I  shall 
dwell  in  the  house  of  the  Lord  for  ever.’ ”  Thus 
afflictions  work  for  our  good,  and  qualify  us  for 
the  joys  and  bliss  of  heaven. 

And  now,  afflicted  reader,  remember  the  di¬ 
vine  exhortation,  “My  son,  despise  not  thou  the 
chastening  of  the  Lord,  nor  faint  when  thou  art 
rebuked  of  him.”*  “  Happy  is  the  man  whom 
God  correcteth ;  therefore  despise  not  thou  the 
chastening  of  the  Almighty :  for  he  maketli  sore 
and  bindeth  up;  he  woundetb,  and  his  hands 
make  whole.”!  “If  ye  endure  chastening,  God 
dealeth  with  you  as  with  his  sons ;  for  what  son 
is  he  whom  the  father  cliasteneth  not?  but  if  he 
be  without  chastisement,  whereof  all  are  par¬ 
takers,  then  are  ye  bastards  and  not  sons.”! 
Dear  believer,  the  time  is  short.  Your  afflic¬ 
tions  are  nearly  over.§ 

*  Heb.  xiii.  5.  f  Job.  v.  17,  18.  \  IIeb.  xii.  7,  8. 

§  “A  few  more  trials ;  a  few  more  tears ,  a  few  more  days 
of  darkness,  and  we  shall  be  forever  with  the  Lord.  ‘  Iii 
this  tabernacle  we  groan,  being  1  urdened.’  All  dark  things 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


85 


°  Be  still,  my  soul,  and  know  the  Lord ; 

In  meek  submission  wait  his  will, 

His  presence  can  true  peace  afford. 

His  power  can  shield  from  every  ill. 

“  Thy  path  is  strewed  with  piercing  thorns ; 

Each  step  is  gained  by  arduous  fight, 

Yet  wait,  till  hope’s  bright  morning  dawns, 

-Till  darkness  changes  into  light. 

“  Soon  shall  the  painful  conflict  cease ; 

Soon  shall  the  raging  storm  be  o’er; 

Soon  shalt  thou  reach  the  realms  of  peace, 

Where  suffering  shall  be  known  no  more. 

“There  shall  thy  joy  forever  flow 
In  one  unbroken  stream  of  bliss ; 

There  shalt  thou  God  the  Saviour  Know, 

And  feel  him  thine  as  thou  art  his.” 

Cleave  closely  to  Jesus ;  you  shall  soon  see 
him  as  he  is;  then  your  afflictions,  and  trials, 
and  days  of  mourning  will  have  ended ;  you 
shall  reign  with  Jesus,  and  be  like  him.  The 
Lord  having  now  “  begun  a  good  work  in  you, 
will  perform  it  until  the  day  of  Jesus  Christ.”* 

shall  yet  be  cleared  up;  all  sufferings  healed;  all  blanks 
supplied;  and  we  shall  find  fulness  of  joy  (not  cne  drop 
wanting)  in  the  smile  and  presence  of  our  God.  It  is  one 
of  the  laws  of  Christ’s  kingdom.  ‘We  must  through  much 
tribulation  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God.’  We  must  not 
reckon  upon  a  smooth  road  to  glory,  but  it  will  be  a  short 
one  ” — McCheyne 
*  Phil.  i.  0. 

8 


86 


» 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHEIST. 


Sanctified  afflictions  are  fitting  you  for  neaven. 
“Blessed  is  the  man  whom  thou  cnastenest,  0 
Lord,  and  teachest  him  out  of  thy  law ;  that 
thou  mayest  give  him  rest  from  the  days  of  ad¬ 
versity,  until  the  pit  be  digged  for  the  wicked.”* 
Choose  Christ  now,  and  you  may  rest  assured 
that  goodness  and  mercy  shall  follow  you 
through  life,  and  glory  and  immortality  crown 
you  at  death.  You  will  enjoy  the  love  of  Christ 
in  health,  and  in  sickness,  and  when  you  come 
to  feel  your  last  pain,  and  draw  your  last  breath, 
you  will  shout  forth,  “  0  death,  where  is  thy 
sting  ?  0  grave,  where  is  thy  victory  ?  Thanks 
be  to  Cod,  which  giveth  us  the  victory,  through 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.”* 


*  Pflttlm  xciv.  12,  13 


f  1  Cot.  xv  55,  67. 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST.  87 


HAPTER  VII. 

O' 

THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST,  AS  MANIFESTED  TO  IIIS  PEOPLE 
IN  THE  HOUR  OF  DEATH. 

“Yea,  though  I  walk  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of 
death,  I  will  fear  no  evil:  for  thou  art  with  me;  thy  rod 
aud  thy  staff,  they  comfort  me.” — Psalm  xxiii,  4. 

“  And  when  the  closing  scenes  prevail, 

When  wealth,  state,  pleasure,  all  shall  fail; 

All  that  a  foolish  world  admires, 

Or  passion  craves  or  pride  inspires  ; 

At  that  important  hour  of  need, 

Jesus  shall  prove  a  friend  indeed: 

Ilis  hand  shall  smooth  thy  dying  bed, 

His  arm  sustain  thy  drooping  head  , 

And  when  the  painful  struggle’s  o’er, 

And  that  vain  thing,  the  world,  no  more — 

He’ll  bear  his  humble  friend  away, 

To  rapture  and  eternal  da}L” 

* 

It  is  a  solemn  truth,  that  you  and  I  must  die. 
Death  will  soon  overtake  us.  Before  the  termi¬ 
nation  of  the  present  year ;  yea,  before  the  sun 
shall  have  again  passed  the  horizon,  the  hand 
that  now  writes  these  lines,  and  the  eye  that 
now  reads  them,  may  both  have  felt  the  chill  of 
death. 

Oh,  what  is  human  life  ?  A.  vapor ;  a  dream , 

*  ' 


88 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


a  tale  that  is  soon  told;  a  feeble  spark  of  vital¬ 
ity,  emitting  its  light  for  a  moment,  and  then  for¬ 
ever  extinguished  I  “Man  that  is  born  of  a 
woman,  is  of  few  days :  he  cometh  forth  like  a 
flower,  and  is  cut  down ;  he  fleeth  also  as  a 
shadow,  and  continneth  not.”*  “My  days,” 
says  Job,  “are  swifter  than  a  weaver’s  shuttle, 
and  are  spent  without  hope.  0  remember  that 
my  life  is  wind!  ”f 

Our  continuance  on  earth  is  but  for  a  short 
moment.  “Our  days  on  the  earth  are  as  a 
shadow,  and  there  is  none  abiding.’’^  “  As  for 
man,  his  days  are  as  grass :  as  a  flower  of  the 
field,  so  he  flourisheth ;  for  the  wind  passeth 
over  it,  and  it  is  gone,  and  the  place  thereo 
shall  know  it  no  more.”||  “For  what  is  your 
life  ?  It  is  even  a  vapor  that  appeareth  for  a 
little  time,  and  then  vanisheth  away.”§  How 
short,  how  uncertain  is  life ;  but  how  certain  is 
death ! 

How  true  it  is  that  God  will  bring  us  to  death, 
and  to  the  house  appointed  for  all  living.^  “It 
is  appointed  unto  men  once  to  die.”**  Millions 
have  fallen  before  the  irresistible  stroke  of  death. 

*  Job  xiv.  1,  2.  |  Psalm  ciii.  15,  16. 

f  Job  vii.  6,  7,  §  James  iv.  14. 

\  1  Chrov  xxix.  15  Job  xxx.  23. 

Hob.  ix,  27. 


% 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


89 


All  mankind  are  dying  creatures,  and  are  press¬ 
ing  onward  to  the  grave. 

Reflect  upon  the  past  history  of  mortality. 
“Generation  after  generation,”  says  a  beautiful 
writer,  “have  passed  away.  Time  was,  when 
they  were  alive  upon  the  earth,  and  active  amid 
its  busy  scenes.  They  had  their  joys  and  their 
sorrows.  They  flitted  across  life’s  busy  stage. 
And  disappeared  forever  behind  the  curtain  of 
mortality.  They  have  gone.  The  winds  of 
centuries  have  swept  over  their  graves.  ” 

As  it  was  with  them,  so  it  will  soon  be 
with  us.  Look  at  the  future.  It  is  computed 
that  eight  hundred  millions  constitute  the  popu¬ 
lation  of  our  globe:  these,  in  less  than  a  cen¬ 
tury,  will  all  be  lodged  in  the  grave.  The 
grave  receives  alike  as  its  victims  the  inmate 
of  the  cottage,  and  him  who  sits  on  his  throne 
and  sways  the  sceptre  of  nations.  The  paths 
of  glory  and  honor  lead  but  to  the  grave.  Here 
come  the  nobles  with  their  titles,  kings  with 
their  crowns,  and  scholars  with  their  volumes. 
Here  is  the  home  of  the  mighty  hero,  who  once 
with  his  steel-clad  millions  thundered  over  the 
field  of  battle,  and  with  an  arm  of  power  shook 
the  foundations  of  kingdoms. 

“How  populous,  how  vital  is  tne  gravel 
This  is  creation’s  melancholy  vault.” 

8* 


90 


THE  LOYE  OF  CHRIST. 


0  look  at  the  brevity  and  vanity  cf  human 
life,  and  learn  a  solemn  lesson.  Though  you 
have  soared  in  fame,  or  have  accumulated  wealth 
in  abundance ;  though  you  glory  in  human 
po  wer,  and,  like  Alexander,  could  ride  triumph¬ 
antly  over  the  ruins  of  desolated  nations,  yet  the 
time  will  soon  have  arrived  yrhen  the  feeble  ten¬ 
ement  of  clay  shall  moulder,  leaving  its  only 
epitaph  upon  the  crumbling  marble ;  when  it 
may  be  pronounced,  over  your  mortal  remains : 


“How  loved,  how  valued  once,  avails  thee  not, 

To  whom  related,  or  by  whom  begot: 

A  heap  of  dust  alone  remains  of  thee  ; 

’Tis  all  thou  art,  and  all  the  great  shall  be.” 

But  death  does  not  annihilate  our  existence. 
We  are  immortal  beings.  Human  life  is  but  a 
prelude  to  an  immortal  state  of  being.  As  we 
close  our  eyes  on  the  visionary  scenes  of  time, 
we  open  them  amid  the  solemn  realities  of  eter¬ 
nity  ;  we  enter  upon  that  life  which  will  never 
end.  To  die,  then,  is  but  to  live. 

Oh  l  how  important  it  is  that  we  should  be¬ 
come  interested  in  the  atonement  of  Christ ;  that 
we  may  find  redemption  in  his  blood,  and  for 
giveness  of  sins,  that  we  may  die  in  peace. 

All  must  tread  along  the  dark  valley.  All 
must  cross  the  Jordan  of  death.  But  the  hum¬ 
ble  follower  of  Christ  is.  through  grace,  enabled 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


91 


to  exclaim,  as  lie  approaches  the  dreadful  prec¬ 
ipice  that  hides  the  view  of  mortality  :  “  Yea, 

though  I  walk  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow 
of  death,  I  will  fear  no  evil :  for  thou  art  with 
me  ;  thy  nod  and  thy  staff,  they  comfort  me.”* 
Christ’s  presence  is  with  believers  in  the  hour 
of  death ;  he  cheers  their  departing  spirits. 
They  have  fled  for  refuge  to  him,  and  he  sus¬ 
tains  them  in  their  trying  hour.  Then  he  is  a 
friend  indeed  ;  a  friend  that  sticketh  closer  than 
a  brother.  This  love  is  manifested  to  them  :  it 
enables  them  to  shout  forth  triumphantly,  in  the 
face  of  the  last  enemy,  “  0,  death,  where  is  thy 
sting  ?  O,  grave,  where  is  thy  victory  ?  The 
sting  of  death  is  sin,  and  the  strength  of  sin  is 
the  law.  But  thanks  be  to  God,  which  giveth 
us  the  victory,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.”f 
It  is  to  the  believer  in  Jesus,  and  to  him  alone, 
that  death  comes  disarmed  of  his  terrors  ;  being 
only  a  faithful  messenger  to  convey  him  to  his 
dear  Lord  and  Saviour :  so  that  in  the  prospect 
of  dissolution,  he  can  express  a  desire  with  Paul, 
11  To  depart  and  be  with  Christ,  which  is  far 
better.”^;  He  knows  that  Christ  is  his  loving 
friend,  that  he  is  watching  over  his  dying  bed, 
ready  to  receive  his  departing  spirit,  and  he  can 
confidently  say  with  Stephen,  “Lord  Jesus,  re- 


*  Psalm  xxiii.  4. 


f  1  Coi  xy.  55-57. 


\  Pliil.  i.  23 


92  THE  LOVE  OF  JHRIST. 


ceive  my  spirit:”*  witli  David,  “Into  thine 
hand  I  commit  my  spirit ;  thou  hast  redeemed 
me,  0  Lord  God  of  truth  ;”f  “I  will  behold  thy 
face  in  righteousuess :  I  will  be  satisfied,  when 
I  awake,  with  thy  likeness  and  with  Simeon, 
“  Lord,  now  lettest  thou  thy  servant  depart  in 
peace  according  to  thy  word ;  for  mine  eyes 
have  seen  thy  salvation.”§ 

Such  is  the  peaceful  end  of  the  Christian’s 
mortal  career.  He  dies  in  peace.  He  passes 
the  swellings  of  Jordan,  cheered  by  the  Sav¬ 
iour’s  presence,  and  animated  by  the  manifes¬ 
tation  of  his  love.  It  is  in  the  trying  hour  of 
death,  when  flesh  and  heart  fail,  that  the  love  of 
Christ  is  amazingly  manifested  to  believers. 

It  is  when  the  swellings  of  Jordan  come  al¬ 
most  over  the  poor  believer’s  soul ;  when  he  is 
ready  to  sink  benath  the  boisterous  waves,  that 
Christ  reveals  to  him  his  wonderful  love,  which 
fills  his  heart  with  joy ;  which  enables  him  to 
shout  forth  joyfully  upon  his  bed,  and  be  more 
than  sc  conqueror  through  Him  that  loved  us. 

“  Let  the  saints  be  joyful  in  glory  :  let  them 
sing  aloud  upon  their  beds.”||  “  Precious  in 
the  sight  of  the  Lord  is  the  death  of  his 
saints.”  And  at  that  solemn  period,  when  the  last 

*  Acts  vii  56.  |  Psalm  xxxi.  5.  %  Psalm  xvii.  15, 

§  Luke  ii.  29  80.  g  Psalm  cxlix,  5. 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST 


93 


sands  of  life  are  running  out,  when  life’s  last 
hour  is  closing,  he  visits  them  individually,  and 
unfolds  the  riches  of  his  grace,  and  the  wonders 
of  his  love. 

He  whispers  in  their  ears  his  gracious  prom¬ 
ises.  “  Fear  not ;  for  I  have  redeemed  thee,  I 
have  called  thee  by  thy  name :  thou  art  mine. 
When  thou  passest  through  the  waters,  I  will  be 
with  thee;  and  through  the  rivers,  they  shall 
not  overflow  thee :  when  thou  walkest  through 
the  fire,  thou  shall  not  be  burnt ;  neither  shall 
the  flame  kindle  upon  thee.”'* 

And  they  find  him  faithful  to  his  promises  ; 
yes,  when  they  tread  the  verge  of  Jordan,  they 
find  him  like  the  high  priest  of  old,  who  bore 
the  ark  of  the  covenant,  standing  in  the  midst 
of  the  waters,  that  they  may  safely  pass  through 
its  proud  waves  to  the  heavenly  Canaan,  that 
glorious  land  of  promise — the  happy  home  of 
the  believers,  the  heaven  of  eternal  rest.  “  Then 
are  they  glad,  because  they  be  quiet:  so  he 
bringeth  them  unto  their  desired  haven.”f 
Jesus  Christ,  our  blessed  high  priest,  himself  has 
passed  through  the  Jordan  of  death.  He  has 
dipped  his  feet  into  this  stream.  He  has  rolled 
back  its  swelling  waves.  He  has  made  a  safe 
and  easy  passage  for  all  his  followers.  Christian, 


*  Is,  xlii.  1  2. 


\  Psalm  evii.  30. 


94 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


why  then  are  you  afraid  to  die,  to  plunge  into 
this  stream,  when  you  see  the  very  footprints 
of  your  Saviour  in  the  bottom  ? 

“  Who  is  he  that  condemneth  ?  It  is  Christ 
tlmt  died.”*  His  eyes  have  been  closed  in 
death.  0,  believer  !  Christ  has  been  laid  in  the 
cold  and  silent  grave  before  you.  He  has  felt 
the  chill  of  death.  But  he  has  removed  its 
sting.  Through,  death,  he  has  destroyed  him 
that  had  the  power  of  it.  Fear  not,  death  is  a 
vanquished  foe.  Christ  says  concerning  his 
people,  “  I  will  ransom  them  from  the  power  ot 
the  grave.  I  will  redeem  them  from  death : 
0  death  !  I  will  be  thy  plague ;  0  grave !  I  will 
be  thy  .destruction.”f  Christian,  death  cannot 
hurt  you.  It  is  but  a  sure  step  into  glory.  Are 
’  you  in  bondage  through  the  fear  of  death? 
Christ  has  delivered  you  from  this  bondage. 
“Forasmuch,  then,  as^ the  children  are  partakers 
of  flesh  and  blood,  he  also  himself  likewise  took 
part  of  the  same ;  that  through  death  he  might 
destroy  him  that  had  the  power  of  death,  that  is, 
the  devil ;  and  deliver  them,  who,  through  fear 
of  death,  were  all  their  lifetime  subject  to 
bondage.”;]:  Thus,  the  children  of  God  are 
safely  conducted  through  death  to  mansions  ol 
glory,  and  awake  amid  the  splendors  of  an  im* 

*  Rom.  viii.  34.  4  Ilosea  siii  14  \  Ileb.  ii.  14,  1& 


V 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


95 


mortal  day.  How  happy  they,  whc,  when 
walking  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  o f 
death,  find  that  Jesus  is  their  friend  and  com¬ 
panion  I 

How  glorious  he !  how  happy  they, 

In  such  a  glorious  friend! 

Whose  love  secures  them  all  the  way, 

And  crowns  them  at  the  end. 

Thus,  while  the  believer  is  standing  on  the 
verge  of  the  grave,  and  looking  back  on  his 
past  life,  his  past  conflicts,  his  earthly  pilgrim¬ 
age,  he  can  exclaim  in  the  language  of  the 
Apostle  Paul,  “  I  have  fought  a  good  fight,  I 
have  finished  my  course,  I  have  kept  the  faith 
and  as  he  looks  forward  into  a  vast  eternity, 
and  sees  the  rich  rewards  that  are  shortly  to  be 
his,  the  kingdom  that  he  is  going  to  possess,  the 
crown  of  glory  that  is  soon  to  be  placed  upon 
his  brow,  he  triumphantly  adds,  “Henceforth 
there  is  laid  up  for  me  a  Crown  of  righteousness, 
which  the  Lord,  the  righteous  Judge,  shall  give 
me  at  that  day,  and  not  to  me  only,  but  unto 
all  them  also  that  love  his  appearing.  ”  At 
least,  he  hears  that  happy  approbation,  and 
joyful  invitation,  “Well  done,  good  and  faith¬ 
ful  servant,  enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy 
Lord.”** 

The  solemn  scene  closes.  The  dark  valley 

*  Matth.  xxv  23. 


T 


96 


THE  LOYE  OF  CHRIST. 


is  passed.  Jordan  is  crossed.  No  more  strug 
gles.  No  more  pain.  No  more  tears  of  sorrow, 
and  affliction.  No  more  death.  “He  will 
swallow  up  death  in  victory  ;  and  the  Lord  God 
will  wipe  away  tears  from  off  all  faces.”*  The 
believer  is  “  absent  from  the  body,  and  present 
with  the  Lord.”  In  the  Saviour’s  perfect  love, 
he  rests,  and  finds  his  eternity  of  joy.  In  his 
dying  moments  he  could  say,  “  God  will  redeem 
my  soul  from  the  power  of  the  grave ;  for  he 
shall  receive  me.”  “For  this  God  is  our  God-, 
for  ever  and  ever ;  he  will  be  our  guide,  even 
unto  death.”  And  he  has  experienced  a  happy 
realization  of  these  promises.  That  Saviour  who 
loved  him  in  life,  also  manifests  his  love  to  him 
in  the  hour  of  death.  His  love  is  abiding,  it  is 
not  subject  to  mutation ;  it  knows  no  change. 
“  Having  loved  his  own  which  were  in  the  world, 
he  loved  them  unto  the  end.”f 

As  the  believer’s  mortal  career  is  about  to 
terminate,  the  Saviour  stands  by  him,  and  en¬ 
circles  him  with  the  arms  of  his  love.  He  sheds 
abroad  his  love  in  the  believer’s  heart.  He  sus¬ 
tains  him  amid  the  agonies  of  dissolving  nature. 
He  strengthens  him  by  his  grace.  The  dying 
Christian  cries,  “  My  flesh  and  my  heart  failetli ; 
but  God  is  the  strength  of  my  heart,  and  my 


*  Is.  xxv.  8. 


f  John  xiii.  1. 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


97 


portion  for  ever.”*  “  For  whicli  cause  we  famt 
not ;  but  though  our  outward  man  perish,  yet 
the  inward  man  is  renewed  day  by  day.”f 
Thus  he  finishes  his  earthly  course  with  joy. 
His  end  is  peace.  “  Mark  the  perfect  man,  and 
behold  the  upright ;  fbr  the  end  of  that  man  is 
peace.”:);  With  him  all  is  calm,  and  peaceful. 
The  heavens  are  serene.  The  thunders  of  tho 
law  are  hushed.  Calvary  is  in  his  eye.  Around 
him  all  is  sprinkled  with  atoning  blood.  No 
wonder,  then,  that  he  should  die  in  peace ;  for, 
“  being  justified  by  faith,”  he  has  “peace  with 
God,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.”  He  has 
obtained  the  victory  over  death,  the  last  enemy. 
Hence,  many  a  dying  Christian  has  been  able  to 
say,  with  Dr.  Goodwin,  “Is  this  dying?  Is 
this  the  enemy  that  dismayed  me  so  long,  now 
appearing  so  harmless,  and  even  pleasant?” 

Not  so  with  the  end  of  the  wicked.  To  him, 
death  is  terrible ;  the  grave,  gloomy  ;  and  eter¬ 
nity,  dark.  “  The  wicked  is  driven  away  in  his 
wickedness ;  but  the  righteous  hath  hope  in  his 
death.”§  The  death-bed  of  the  Christian  is  a 
glorious,  happy  place. 

“The  ehamber  where  the  good  man  meets  his  fate, 
la  privileged  beyond  the  common  walk  of  virtuous  life, 
Quite  on  the  verge  of  heaven.”  [ 

*  Ps.  lxxiii.  26.  f  2  Cor.  ir.  lfl, 

$  Pa.  xxxvii.  37.  §  Prov.  xiv.  32. 

9 


98 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHBIST 


CHAPTER  YIII. 

THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST  IN  THE  HOUR  OF  DEATH  (CON 
TINUEd)  ;  THE  CLOUD  OF  WITNESSES. 

Seeing  we  also  are  compassed  about  with  so  great  a  cloud 
of  witnesses.” — Heb.  xii.  1. 

A  geeat  many  delightful  records  of  the  death 
bed  scenes  of  martyrs,  ministers  of  Jesus  Christ, 
and  private  Christians,  who  have  enjoyed  the 
presence  of  Christ  in  a  dying  hour,  who  have 
felt  his  love  manifested  to  them,  and  have  re¬ 
ceived  his  consolations,  might  be  adduced  to 
corroborate  the  assertions  we  have  already  made, 
and  to  confirm  the  truth,  that  Christ  does  thus 
manifest  his  love  to  dying  believers.  YVe  shall 
introduce  the  following : 

1.  Lambert,  a  martyr  under  Henry  YIII., 
while  he  was  cruelly  mangled  by  the  soldiers’ 
halberts,  and  consuming  in  a  slow  fire,  raised  his 
burning  hands  amid  the  flames,  and,  with  a  dis¬ 
tinct  voice,  exclaimed,  “  Hone  but  Christ ;  none 
but  Christ !” 

2.  Lawrence  Saunders,  suffered  martyrdom 
under  the  “  bloody  Queen  Alary.”  He  kissed 
the  stake  at  which  he  was  bound,  and  cried 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


99 


aloud,  “Welcome  the  cross  of  Christ!  Wei 
come  the  cross  of  Christ !  W elcome  life  ever 
lasting !” 

3.  John  Knox,  the  Scottish  Keformer’s  dying 
words,  were,  “  Come,  Lord  Jesus,  sweet  Jesus ! 
into  thy  hands  I  commend  my  spirit.”  Again 
he  said,  “  I  have  tasted  of  the  heavenly  joys 
where  presently  I  shall  be  I  Now,  for  the  last 
time,  I  commit  soul,  body,  and  spirit  into  his 
hands.”  Uttering  a  deep  sigh,  he  said,  “  Now 
it  is  come  !”  His  attendant  desired  him  to  give 
his  friends  a  sign  that  he  died  in  peace.  On 
this  he  waved  his  hand,  and  uttering  two  deep 
sighs,  he  fell  asleep  in  Jesus. 

4.  John  Welch,  the  son-in-law  of  John  Knox, 
was  one  of  the  most  eminent  ministers  that  the 
Church  of  Scotland  ever  produced.  lie  died  in 
great  joy.  On  his  death-bed,  he  seemed  to  feel 
himself  on  the  very  threshold  of  glory  :  he  was 
filled  and  overpowered  with  the  sensible  man¬ 
ifestations  of  God’s  love  and  glory.  His  last 
words  were  uttered  in  an  ecstasy  of  joy :  “  It  is 
enough,  0  Lord,  it  is  now  enough :  hold  thy 
hand  ;  thy  servant  is  a  clay  vessel,  and  can  hold 
no  more !” 

5.  Samuel  Kutherford,  professor  of  divinity 
m  the  University  of  St.  Andrew’s,  was  one  of 
the  most  resplendent  lights  that  ever  rose  in 
Scotland,  He  died  a  triumphant  death.  In  his 


100 


THS  LOV3  OF  CHRIST. 


lust  moments,  he  was  favored  with  a  most  won 
derful  manifestation  of  Christ’s  love.  He  felt 
that  Christ  was  with  him,  and  that  he  man¬ 
ifested  his  grace  to  him ;  and  he  was,  through 
that  manifested  love  and  grace,  enabled  to  ex¬ 
claim  with  his  dying  breath,  “  There  is  none 
like  Christ.  I  feel,  I  feel,  I  believe,  I  joy,  I  re¬ 
joice,  I  feed  on  manna !  My  eyes  shall  see  my 
Redeemer,  and  I  shall  be  ever  with  him  ?  And 
what  would  you  more  ?  I  have  been  a  sinful 
man ;  but  I  stand  at  the  best  pass  that  ever  a 
man  did.  Christ  is  mine,  and  I  am  his  I  Glory, 
glory,  to  my  Creator  and  Redeemer  forever! 
Glory  shines  in  Immanuel’s  land  !  0  for  arms 

to  embrace  him!  O  for  a  well- tuned  harp.,; 
He  continued  exulting  in  God  his  Saviour  tc 
the  last,  as  one  in  full  vision  of  joy  and  glory 
At  length  he  entered  into  the  joy  of  his  Lord. 

*  In  vain  my  fancy  strives  to  paint 
The  moment  after  death  ; 

The  glories  that  surround  the  saints, 

When  yielding  up  their  breath. 

“  One  gentle  sigh  their  fetters  breaks ; 

We  scarce  can  say  ‘They’re  gone/ 

Before  the  "willing  spirit  takes 
Her  mansion  near  the  throne.” 


6.  Rev.  James  Durham,  on  his  dying  bed, 
was  at  first  in  much  darkness  of  his  mind.  He 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST.  101 


said  to  a  friend,  “  For  all  that  I  nave  preached 
and  written,  there  is  but  one  scripture  that  I  can 
think  of,  or  dare  to  lay  hold  of.  Tell  me,  bro¬ 
ther,  if  I  may  dare  lay  the  weight  of  my  salva¬ 
tion  on  it:  “Whosoever  cometli  unto  me,  I 
will  in  nowise  cast  out !’  ”  “  That  you  may  de¬ 

pend  on,”  said  the  minister  in  reply,  “  though 
you  had  a  thousand  salvations  at  hazard  I” 
Having  remained  some  time  in  silence,  he  at 
length  came  joyfully  from  beneath  the  dark 
cloud,  and  cried,  in  a  rapture  of  joy,  “Is  not 
the  Lord  good  ?  Is  he  not  infinitely  good  ? 
See  how  he  smiles !  I  do  say  it,  and  I  do  pro¬ 
claim  it  1” 

7.  The  noble  Marquis  of  Argyle,  on  the 
morning  of  his  execution,  while  settling  his 
worldly  business,  was  so  overpowered  by  the 
manifestation  of  divine  love  and  goodness,  that 
he  broke  out  in  a  holy  rapture,  and  said,  “I 
thought  to  have  concealed  the  Lord’s  goodness ; 
but  it  will  not  do.  I  am  now  ordering  my  af¬ 
fairs;  and  God  is  sealing  my  charter  to  my 
heavenly  inheritance,  and  is  just  now  saying  to 
me,  Son,  be  of  good  cheer;  thy  sins  are  forgiven 
thee !” 

8.  James  Guthrie,  a  godly  minister,  the  com¬ 
panion  of  the  noble  Argyle,  exclaimed,  when  on 
the  scaffold,  “Jesus  is  my  light  and  life,  my 
righteousness  my  strength  and  salvation,  and  all 

9* 


102  THE  jOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


my  desire!  Him,  0  Him  do  I  commend  with 
all  my  soul  unto  you.  Bless  Him,  0  my  soul, 
now  and  forever!  How,  0  Lord,  lettest  thou 
thy  servant  depart  in  peace ;  for  mine  eyes  have 
seen  thy  salvation.” 

9.  The  pious  Hervey  closed  his  life  in  peace. 
His  last  words  were:  “  How  thankful  am  I  for 
death !  It  is  the  passage  to  the  Lord  and  Giver 
of  eternal  life.  0  welcome,  welcome  death! 
Thou  mayest  well  be  reckoned  among  the  treas¬ 
ures  of  a  Christian :  to  live  is  Christ ;  to  die,  is 
gain!  Lord,  now  lettest  thou  thy  servant  de¬ 
part  in  peace  ;  for  mine  eyes  have  seen  thy  sal¬ 
vation  !”  Then  he  fell  asleep  in  Jesus.  Oh, 
what  a  happy  death ;  to  die  unto  the  Lord — to 
sleep  in  Jesus! 

10.  William  Romaine  was  an  eminent  preacher 
of  the  gospel  of  Jesus,  and  died  a  joyful  death. 
He  had  the  love  of  Christ  in  his  heart ;  and  He 
was  very  precious  to  him  in  the  hour  of  death. 
“  I  have,”  said  he,  “  the  peace  of  God  in  my 
conscience,  and  the  love  of  God  in  my  heart. 
Jesus  is  more  precious  than  rubies;  and  all  that 
can  be  desired  on  earth,  is  not  to  be  compared 
to  him.”  Being  near  his  dissolution,  he  cried 
out,  “  Holy,  holy,  holy  Lord  God  Almighty ! 
Glory  be  to  thee  on  High,  for  such  peace  on 
earth,  and  good  will  to  men.”  One  time  he  said, 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


103 


“I  have  much  of  the  presence  of  Jesus  with 
me.” 

11.  Rev.  Dr.  Doddridge,  an  eminent  servant 
of  Christ,  said,  on  his  death-bed,  “I  am  full  of 
confidence :  there  is  a  hope  set  before  me ;  I 
have  fled;  I  still  fly  for  refuge  to  that  hope. 
In  him  I  trust.  In  him  I  have  strong  consola¬ 
tion,  and  shall  assuredly  be  accepted  in  the  be¬ 
loved  of  my  soul.” 

12.  The  immortal  Baxter  closed  his  course 
full  of  joy  and  peace.  To  some  ministers  around 
him,  he  said,  “I  have  peace,  I  have  peace!” 
“  You  are  now  drawing  near  your  long-desired 
home,”  said  one.  “  I  believe,  I  believe,”  was 
the  reply.  When  the  question  was  put  to  him, 
“IIow  are  you?”  he  promptly  answered,  “Al¬ 
most  well !”  To  a  friend  who  entered  the  cham¬ 
ber,  he  said,  “I  thank  you,  I  thank  you  for 
coming.”  Then  fixing  his  eye  on  him,  he  added, 
“  The  Lord  teach  you  how  to  die !”  These 
were  his  last  words. 

13.  John  Janeway,  a  young  minister  of  Eng¬ 
land,  died  one  of  the  most  triumphant  Chris¬ 
tian  deaths  on  record.  Not  a  word  dropped 
from  his  lips,  which  did  not  breathe  of  Christ 
and  heaven.  His  Saviour  was  with  him  in  the 
dark  vale  ;  the  arms  of  Christ  supported  him ; 
the  love  and  smiles  of  Christ  cheered  his  depart¬ 
ing  soul,  and  made  death  itstlf  sweet  to  him. 


104  THE  LOV.l  3F  CHRIST. 


He  broke  out  in  sucli  words  as  these :  l'  0,  lie  is 
3ome!  he  is  come!  O,  how  glorious  is  the 
blessed  Jesus!  How  shall  I  speak  the  thou¬ 
sandth  part  of  his  praises !  0  for  words  to  set 

out  a  little  of  that  excellency ;  but  it  is  inex¬ 
pressible  !  0,  my  friends,  come  look  upon  a 

dying  man,  and  wonder !  I  myself  cannot  but 
wonder!  Was  there  ever  greater  kindness? 
Were  there  ever  such  manifestations  of  rich 
grace?  0,  why  me,  Lord;  why  me?  If  this 
be  dying,  dying  is  sweet !  Let  no  Christian  be 
afraid  of  dying.  0,  death  is  sweet  to  me !  This 
bed  is  soft!  Christ’s  arms,  his  smiles,  his  vis¬ 
its  ;  sure  they  would  turn  hell  into  heaven ! 
What  are  all  human  pleasures  compared  to  one 
glimpse  of  his  glory,  which  shines  so  strongly  on 
my  soul?  I  shall  soon  be  in  eternity:  I  shall 
soon  see  Christ  himself,  who  died  for  me,  who 
loved  me,  and  washed  me  in  his  blood !  I  shall 
soon  mingle  in  the  hallelujahs  of  glory !  Me- 
thinks  I  hear  the  melody  of  heaven,  and  by 
faith  I  see  the  angels  Waiting  to  carry  me  to  the 
bosom  of  Jesus,  and  I  shall  be  forever  with  the 
bord !  And  who  can  choose  but  rejoice  in  all 
this  ?” 

Often  he  would  say,  “  0,  that  I  could  but  let 
you  know  what  I  now  feel!  0,  that  I  could 
express  the  thousandth  part  cf  that  sweetness 
that  I  now  f.nd  i  :  Christ !  Y«  a  would  all  then 


THE  LO  YE  OF  CHRIST.  105 


thin:Z  it  well  worth  while  io  make  it  your  busi¬ 
ness  to  be  religious.  0,  my  dear  friends,  we 
little  think  what  Christ  is  worth  upon  a  death¬ 
bed  !  I  would  not  for  a  world,  nay,  for  millions 
of  worlds,  be  now  without  Christ  and  pardon.” 

To  those  around  him,  he  said,  11  0  that  glory, 
the  unspeakable  glory  that  I  behold  I  My  heart 
is  full ;  my  heart'  is  full !  Christ  smiles,  and  I 
cannot  but  smile.  The  arms  of  my  blessed 
Saviour  are  open  to  embrace  me;  the  angels 
stand  ready  to  carry  my  soul  into  his  bosom. 
0,  did  you  see  what  I  see,  you  would  all  cry 
out  with  me,  ‘  How  long,  dear  Lord  ?  Come, 
Lord  Jesus,  come  quickly  I’  0,  why  are  his 
chariot  wheels  so  long  in  coming?  I  do  so 
long  to  be  with  Christ,  that  I  couiu  be  contented 
to  be  cut  in  pieces,  and  to  be  put  to  the  most 
exquisite  torments,  so  that  I  might  but  die  and 
be  with  Christ.  0,  how  sweet  is  Jesus  !  1  Come, 
Lord  Jesus,  come  quickly !’  Death,  do  thy 
worst.  Death  has  lost  its  terribleness.  Death  I 
it  is  nothing  to  me  !  Death  is  nothing  (through 
grace)  to  me.  I  can  as  easily  die,  as  shut  my 
eyes,  or  turn  my  head  and  sleep.  I  long  to  be 
with  Christ :  I  long  to  die.” 

To  his  Christian  friends  who  came  to  see  him, 
he  said,  “  O  help  me  to  praise  God,  I  have  no¬ 
thing  else  to  do,  from  this  time  to  eternity,  but 
to  praise  and  love  God  I  0,  praise,  praise, 


106 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


praise,  that  infinite  boundless  love  that  hath-  to 
a  wonder,  looked  upon  my  soul,  and  done  more 
for  me  than  for  thousands  of  his  children  ! 
Bless  the  Lord,  0  my  soul,  and  all  that  is  within 
me,  bless  his  holy  name  !  Help  me,  help  me,  0 
my  friends,  to  praise  and  admire  him  that  hath 
done  such  astonishing  wenders  for  my  soul  : 
he  hath  pardoned  all  my  sins ;  he  hath  filled 
me  with  his  goodness ;  he  hath  given  me  grace 
and  glory,  and  no  good  thing  hath  he  withheld 
from  me.” 

On  another  occasion,  he  uttered  such  words 
as  these,  “  Admire  God  forever  and  ever,  0  ye 
redeemed  ones !  O,  those  joys,  the  taste  of  which 
I  have !  The  everlasting  joys  which  are  at  his 
right  hand  forever  more  !  Eternity,  eternity 
itself  is  too  short  to  praise  God  in.  0  bless  the 
Lord  with  me!  Come,  let  us  shout  for  joy, 
and  boast  in  the  God  of  our  salvation.  0,  help 
me  to  praise  the  Lord,  for  his  mercy  endureth 
forever.”  Again  he  said,  “I  shall  presently 
behold  Christ  himself  that  died  for  me,  and 
loved  me,  and  washed  me  in  his  own  blood.  I 
shall,  before  a  few  hours  are  over,  be  in  eternity, 
singing  the  song  of  Moses,  and  the  song  of  the 
Lamb.  I  shall  presently  stand  upon  Mount 
Zion,  with  an  innumerable  company  of  angels, 
and  the  spirits  of  the  just  made  perfect,  and  Jesus 
the  mediator  of  the  new  covenant.  I  shall  hear 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


107 


the  voice  of  much  people,  and  be  one  amcngst 
them,  who  shall  say,  hallelujah,  salvation,  glory, 
honor  and  power,  unto  the  Lord  our  God !  And 
yet  a  little  while,  and  I  shall  sing  unto  the 
Lamb  a  song  of  praise,  saying,  Worthy  art  thou 
to  receive  praise,  who  wert  slain,  and  hast  re¬ 
deemed  us  to  God  by  thy  blood,  out  of  every 
kindred  and  tongue,  and  people,  and  nation, 
and  hast  made  us  unto  our  God,  kings  and 
priests,  and  we  shall  reign  with  thee  forever  and 
ever.” 

A  few  hours  before  his  death,  he  said,  “And 
now,  dear  Lord,  my  work  is  done.  I  have  fin¬ 
ished  my  course,  I  have  fought  the  good  fight ; 
and  henceforth  there  remaineth  for  me  a  crown 
of  righteousness.  Now  come,  dear  Lord  Jesus, 
come  quickly.”  At  length  his  course  was  com¬ 
pleted,  and  this  lovely  servant  of  the  Lord  fell 
asleep  in  Jesus. 

14.  The  great  Thomas  Halyburton,  one  of  the 
most  learned  divines  of  Scotland,  and  professor 
of  divinity  in  the  University  of  St.  Andrew’s, 
breathed  out  his  soul  to  God  in  a  triumphant 
death.  The  following  were  his  last  words :  “  I 
dare  look  death  in  the  face,  in  its  most  ghastly 
shape,  and  hope  soon  to  have  the  victory  over 
it.  Glory,  glory  to  him !  0,  what  of  God  do  I 
see !  I  have  never  seen  any  thing  like  it.  The 
beginning  and  the  end  cf  religion  are  wonder- 


108 


T II E  LOVE  OF  CHRIST 


fully  sweet !  I  long  for  his  salvation  :  I  bless 
his  name,  I  have  found  him  !  I  am  taken  up  in 
blessing  him ;  I  am  dying  rejoicing  in  the 
Lord  I  0,  I  could  not  have  believed  that  I 
should  bear,  and  bear  cheerfully,  as  I  have 
done,  this  rod  which  hath  lain  long  on  me. 
This  is  a  miracle!  Pain  without  pain!  You 
see  a  man  dying ;  a  monument  of  the  glorious 
power  of  astonishing  grace  !”  Some  time  after, 
he  said,  “  YvHien  I  shall  be  so  weak  as  no  longer 
to  be  able  to  speak,  I  will,  if  I  can,  give  you  a 
sign  of  triumph  when  I  am  near  to  glory.”  He 
did  so :  for  when  one  said,  <£  I  hope  you  are 
encouraging  yourself  in  the  Lord,”  being  now 
unable  to  speak,  he  lifted  up  his  hands  and 
clapped  them,  and  in  a  few  moments  expired. 

15.  Mr.  Augustus  M.  Toplady  closed  a  long 
and  eminently  holy  life,  by  a  very  triumphant 
death.  He  said,  “0  how  this  soul  of  mine 
longs  to  be  gone:  like  an  imprisoned  bird,  it 
longs  to  take  its  flight.  0,  that  I  had  the  wings 
of  a  dove,  I  should  flee  away  to  the  realms  of 
bliss,  and  be  at  rest  forever !  I  long  to  be  ab  • 
sent  from  the  body,  and  present  with  the  Lord.” 
At  another  time  he  said,  “  0  what  a  day  of  sun¬ 
shine  has  this  been  to  me !  I  have  no  words  to 
express  it ;  it  is  unutterable  !  0,  my  friends, 

how  good  our  God  is!  Almost  without  inter¬ 
ruption  his  presence  has  been  with  me.”  Being 


hr 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST  109 


near  liis  end,  he  said,  “  0  what  delights  !  Who 
can  fathom  the  joys  of  the  third  heavens  I” 
And  just  before  he  expired,  he  said,  “  The  sky  is 
dear:  there  is  no  cloud;  come,  Lord  Jesus, 
come  quickly  I” 

16.  Lev.  Thomas  Scott,  the  commentator,  died 
a  happy,  triumphant  death.  The  love  of  Christ 
filled  his  soul ;  and  his  dying  bed  may  be  said 
to  have  been  sublimely  Christian  !  Among  the 
last  words  he  uttered  were  these,  “Lord  support 
me  !  Lord  Jesus  receive  my  spirit !  Christ  is 
my  all !  He  is  my  only  hope !  0  to  realize  the 
fullness  of  joy  I  O,  to  have  done  with  tempta¬ 
tion  !  This  is  heaven  begun  !  I  have  done  with 
darkness  forever !  Satan  is  vanquished !  Noth¬ 
ing  remains  but  salvation  with  eternal  glory, 
eternal  glory !” 

17.  Dr.  Condict,  President  of  Queen’s  (now 
Eutger’s)  College,  New  Jerse}r,  was  known  to 
be  much  afraid  of  death,  but  he  died  triumph¬ 
antly.  Eaising  himself  from  his  pillow,  he 
stretched  out  his  quivering  hands,  and  ex¬ 
claimed,  “I  have  fought  a  good  fight,  I  have 
finished  my  course,  I  have  kept  the  faith ; 
henceforth  there  is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown  of 
righteousness,  which  the  Lord,  the  righteous 
Judge,  shall  give  me.”  Then  he  added,  “Let 
us  pray  and  having  uttered  a  brief  and  solemn 
prayer,  he  gently  leaned  back  on  his  pillow,  and 

:o 


110 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


closing  liis  eyes  with  his  own  hands,  scon  fell 
asleep  in  Jesus. 

18.  Dr.  Dwight,  President  of  Yale  College, 
closed  his  useful  life  by  a  peaceful  and  happy 
death.  He  requested  his  brother  to  read  to  him 
the  17tli  chapter  of  John.  While  listening  tc 
the  latter  verses  of  that  chapter,  he  exclaimed; 
“  0,  what  triumphant  truths  !”  Some  one  re¬ 
cited  to  him  a  part  of  the  23d  Psalm,  and  asked 
him,  “  Can  you  now  say,  though  I  walk  through 
the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death,  I  will  fear  no 
evil,  for  thou  art  with  me  ?”  He  replied,  u  I  hope 
so.”  He  died  in  peace,  cheered  by  his  Saviour’s 
presence  and  love. 

19.  Dr.  Edward  Pay  son  was  an  eminent 
Christian,  and  a  devoted  minister  of  the  Lord. 
He  died  a  most  triumphant  death.  When  about 
to  finish  his  course,  he  thus  commenced  a  letter : 
“  Dear  sister,  were  I  to  adopt  the  figurative  lan¬ 
guage  of  Bunyan,  I  might  date  this  letter  from 
the  land  of  Beulah,  of  which  I  have  been  for 
some  weeks  a  happy  inhabitant.  The  celestial 
city  is  full  in  my  view :  its  glories  beam  upon 
me ;  its  breezes  fan  me ;  its  odours  are  wafted 
to  me ;  its  sounds  strike  upon  my  ears,  and  its 
spirit  is  breathed  into  my  heart.  Nothing 
separates  me  from  it  but  the  river  of  death, 
which  new  appears  but  as  an  insignificant  rill 
that  nay  be  crossec  at  a  single  step,  whenever 


i 


THE  LOVi  3i  CHRIST 


111 


God  sliali  give  permission.  TLe  Sun  of  righte¬ 
ousness  has  been  gradually  drawing  neaier  and 
nearer,  appearing  larger  and  brighter  as  he  ap¬ 
proached  ;  and  now  fills  the  whole  hemisphere, 
pouring  forth  a  flood  of  glory,  in  which  I  seem 
to  float  like  an  insect  in  the  beams  of  the  sun, 
exulting,  yet  almost  trembling,  while  I  gaze  on 
this  excessive  brightness,  and  wondering  with 
unutterable  wonder  why  God  should  deign  thus 
to  shine  upon  a  sinful  worm.  A  single  heart, 
and  a  single  tongue,  seem  altogether  inadequate 
to  my  wants :  I  want  a  whole  heart  for  every 
separate  emotion,  and  a  whole  tongue  to  express 
that  emotion.” 

Among  the  last  words  of  this  excellent  and 
pious  divine,  are  the  following :  “A  young  man, 
when  about  to  leave  the  world,  exclaimed,  ‘The 
battle’s  fought,  the  battle’s  fought ;  but  the 
victory  is  lost  forever!’  But  lean  say,  The 
battle’s  fought,  the  battle’s  fought,  and  the  vic¬ 
tory  is  won !  The  victory  is  won  forever  !  1 

am  going  to  bathe  in  an  ocean  of  purity,  and 
benevolence,  and  happiness,  to  all  eternity  1” 

Again :  “  Hitherto  I  have  viewed  God  as  a 
"fixed  star ;  bright  indeed,  but  often  intercepted 
by  clouds.  But  now  he  is  coming  nearer  and 
nearer ;  and  he  spreads  into  a  sun  so  vast,  and 
so  glorious,  that  the  sight  is  too  dazzling  for 
flesh  and  blood  t '  sustain  I” 


\ 


112  THE  LOVE  OF  JURIST. 


On  one  occasion,  when  laboring  under  very 
acute  pains,  lie  exclaimed,  “These  are  God's 
arrows ;  but  they  are  sharpened  with  love.” 
Once  he  exclaimed,  “Victory,  victory!  Peace, 
peace !” 

The  last  words  he  was  heard  to  whisp>er,  were 
these:  “Faith  and  patience,  hold  out!”  Thus 
died  Dr.  Payson ;  and  he  has  left  a  glorious 
testimony  to  the  truth  of  the  religion  of  Jesus. 

20.  Harlan  Page*  was  an  eminent  Christian, 
and  used  great  personal  efforts  for  the  souls  of 
individuals ;  and  in  his  death,  Christ  was  with 
him.  “A  death-bed,”  said  he,  “is  a  precious 
place,  when  we  have  the  presence  of  Christ — 
then  to  wake  to  a  glorious  immortality.”  Again : 
“  I  feel  as  if  I  had  got  half  way  home.  1  cannot 
bear  to  stop.  It  would  be  a  pity  to  have  the 
flesh  return  on  these  limbs  again.” 

Again  he  said:  “I  commit  myself  to  thee, 
Jesus,  Saviour  of  sinners.  0  the  infinite  love 
of  Christ !  I  may  stop  my  mouth,  and  lie  in  the 
dust.”  He  appeared  to  feel  that  he  had  obtained 
a  new  view  of  the  love  of  Christ ;  therefore  he 
said,  “  It  seems  as  if  I  never  knew  before  what 
it  was  to  love  him.  0,  who  can  help  loving 
such  a  blessed  Saviour !” 


*  See  a  very  investing  memoir  of  this  holy  man,  by  W. 
Hallock,  publish  id  by  the  American  Tract  Society. 


113 


t 

s 

THE  LOVE  OE  CHRIST. 


Again  lie  repeated  these  words:  ‘  O  when 
shall  I  go  home?  How  long  must  I  be  bur¬ 
dened  with  this  body !  The  Lord  knows  how 
much  suffering  I  need,  to  prepare  me  for  his 
kingdom.” 

O 

A  little  before  his  death,  he  exclaimed, 
“Home!  home!”  and  prayed:  “0  for  a  free 
vnd  full  discharge !  Lord  Jesus,  come  quickly ! 
Why  wait  thy  chariot  wheels  so  long  ?  I  dedi¬ 
cate  myself  to  thee.  0  may  I  have  the  victory ! 
O  come  quickly!  Come,  Lord  Jesus,  come 
quickly !”  t 

21.  David  Brainerd  died  a  happy  death.  With 
perfect  composure  of  mind,  this  eminent  servant 
of  God  saw  the  approaches  of  dissolution.  To 
him,  death  was  not  an  enemy,  but  a  friend :  it 
was  the  long  expected  messenger,  sent  to  convey 
him  home  to  his  heavenly  Father’s  house ;  and 
he  would  exclaim,  “  Oh !  why  is  the  chariot 
so  long  in  coming?  Why  tarry  the  wheels 
of  his  chariot  ?  Come,  Lord  Jesus ;  come 
quickly!”  In  this  happy  frame  of  mind,  he 
expired. 

22.  Rev.  Risdon  Darracott,  an  eminent  ser¬ 
vant  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  said  on  his  death¬ 
bed,  “I  am  going  to  that  Jesus  whom  I  love, 
and  whom  I  have  so  often  preached.  Come, 
Lord  Jesus,  come  quickly!  Why  are  thy 
chariot  wheels  so  long  a  coming?”  The  night 


114 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


before  lie  died,  he  said,  “ 0  what  a  good  God 
have  I  in  Christ  Jesus !  I  would  praise  him, 
but  my  lips  cannot.  Eternity  will  be  too  short 
to  speak  his  praises.”  He  related  his  experience 
of  the  goodness  of  God  to  him  during  his  sick¬ 
ness,  and  said,  “If  I  had  a  thousand  lives  to 
live,  I  would  live  them  all  for  Christ.  I  have 
cast  anchor  on  him,  and  rely  on  his  blood,  and 
am  going  to  venture  my  all  upon  him.  There 
is  nothing  on  earth  I  desire !  Here  I  am  wait¬ 
ing  !  What  a  mercy  to  be  in  Jesus !”  He  then 
threw  abroad  his  arms,  and  exclaimed,  “  He  is 
coming!  he  is  coming!  But  surely  this  can’t 
be  death !  0  how  astonishingly  is  the  Lord 

softening  my  passage !  Surely  God  is  too  good 
to  such  a  worm !  0  speed  thy  chariot  wheels  ! 

Why  are  they  so  long  in  coming?  I  long  to  be 
gone.”  At  length  he  fell  asleep  in  Jesus,  whom 
he  so  much  loved,  and  who  manifested  such 
tender  love  to  him  in  the  hour  of  death. 

23.  Mrs.  Catharine  Brettergh,  a  singular 
Christian  ot*  Lancashire,  (England,)  was  blessed 
to  die  a  comfortable  and  joyful  death.  The  fol¬ 
lowing  were  some  of  her  last  words:  “  O  the 
joys  that  I  feel  in  my  soul!  0  my  sweet  Sav¬ 
iour,  shall  I  be  one  with  thee,  as  thou  art  one 
with  the  Father?  0  wonderful  is  thy  love  to 
me,  who  am  but  dust !  To  make  such  as  me 
partaker  of  thy  glory !  0  that  my  tongue  and 


THE  LOVE  0?  CHRIST.  ,  115 


*eart  were  able  to  sound  forth  thy  praises  as  I 
ought!” 

24.  The  amiable  and  pious  Hannah  Hous- 
man,  when  on  her  death-bed,  often  said,  with 
smiles  in  her  face,  and  transports  of  joy :  “  Come, 
Lord  Jesus;  come  quickly!  Why  tarry  the 
wheels  of  thy  chariot?  0,  blessed  convoy! 
come  and  fetch  my  soul,  to  dwell  with  God,  and 
Christ,  and  perfect  spirits,  forever  and  ever 
When  I  join  that  blessed  society  above,  my 
pleasures  will  never  end.  0,  the  glory,  the  glory 
that  shall  be  set  on  the  head  of  faith  and  love  !’ 

25.  Jeremiah  Evarts,  so  well  known  by  every 
friend  of  missionaries,  died  a  triumphant  death. 
Feeling  the  love  of  Christ  in  his  last  moments, 
he  broke  out  into  rapturous  expressions :  “  Praise 
him,  praise  him,  praise  him  in  a  way  which  you 
know  not  of.”  Some  one  said  to  him,  “You 
will  soon  see  Jesus  as  he  is,  and  know  how  to 
praise  him.”  He  replied,  “  0  wonderful,  won¬ 
derful,  wonderful  glory!  We  cannot  compre¬ 
hend  . .  .  wonderful  glory  I  I  will  praise  him : 
I  will  praise  him!  Wonderful ....  glory  .  .  .  . 
Jesus  reigneth!” 

26.  Kichard  Cecil  often  exclaimed  on  his 
death-bed,  with  the  martyr  Lambert,  “Hone  but 
Christ ;  none  but  Christ  I”  As  he  drew  nearer 
to  death,  Jesus  Christ  was  his  only  topic ;  and  a 
sh  or!  time  before  he  died,  he  requested  one  of 


116 


rHE  ROVE  IF  CHRIST. 


his  family  to  write  down  for  him  in  a  book  the 
following  sentence :  “  ‘  None  but  Christ,  none 
but  Christ,’  said  Lambert,  dying  at  the  stake : 
the  same,  in  dying  circumstances,  with  his  whole 
heart,  saith  Richard  Cecil.” 

27.  The  Rev.  John  Rees,  of  London,  uttered 
the  following  words  on  his  death-bed :  “  Christ 
in  his  person,  Christ  in  the  love  of  his  heart,  and 
Christ  in  the  power  of  his  arm,  is  the  rock  on 
which  I  rest;  and  now,”  (reclining  his  head  on 
the  pillow,)  “  Death,  strike !” 

28.  Mrs.  Hannah  Woodd,  mother  of  the  Rev. 
Basil  Woodd,  repeated  the  following  words, 
when  near  her  dissolution :  “  Oh !  I  am  very 
happy !  I  am  going  to  my  mansion  in  the 
skies.  Thank  God,  I  have  a  hope  built  on  the 
Rock  of  ages.  I  am  dying,  but  I  am  going  to 
glory.  1  shall  see  Him  as  he  is.  I  shall  be  for¬ 
ever  near  him,  and  behold  his  face.  Blessed  be 
God !  Blessed  be  God !” 

29.  Mrs.  M.  M.  Atthans,  an  excellent  Chris¬ 
tian  lady,  left  this  testimony  to  the  cause  of 
Christianity :  “  I  bless  God,  I  have  not  one  fear 
concerning  dying.  That  Almighty  Lord,  who 
has  so  wonderfully  preserved  me  to  the  present 
moment,  will  not  forsake  me  in  my  last  extrem¬ 
ity.  No  :  when  flesh  and  heart  fail,  he  will  be 
the  strength  of  my  h?art  and  my  portion  for¬ 
ever.” 


i 


* 


THE  L  )VE  OF  CHRIST 


117 


SO.  We  shall  close  our  records  of  triumphant 
deaths,  with  an  account  of  the  last  hours  of  a 
remarkably  pious  young  lady,  who  lately  went 
to  glory ;  and  whose  death-bed  scene,  it  was  the 
privilege  of  the  author  to  witness. 

He  had  often  read  accounts  of  the  triumphant 
deaths  of  believers,  but  never  before  had  he  seen 
such  an  illustrious  exhibition  of  divine  grace, 
and  love,  manifested  to  a  saint,  in  the  hour  of 
death. 

Hot  till  then,  did  he  feel  that  there  was* such 
power  in  the  religion  of  Jesus,  to  sustain,  and  to 
cheer  in  the  hour  of  dissolution.  This  young 
lady  had  been  confined  to  a  bed  of  severe  suffer¬ 
ing  for  one  year.  At  last  her  soul  was  ripened 
for  glory.  The  time  came  that  she  must  die 
and  her  death-bed  was  a  scene  of  triumph. 
Christ  was  very  precious  to  her ;  and  his  love 
was  wonderfully  manifested  to  her  soul.  She 
often  exclaimed,  “  My  beloved  is  mine,  and  I  am 
his.”* 

The  following  are  among  her  last  words.  To 
her  distant  brother  she  thus  dictated  a  letter 
“Dear  brother,  I  know  not  whether  I  shall 
meet  you  again  on  earth ;  but  I  hope  to  meet 
you  in  heaven,  wdiere  we  shall  be  forever  sing¬ 
ing  the  praises  of  God;  where  the  Lamb,  which 


*  Cant.  .1  18. 


118 


THE  L  J  YE  OF  CHRIST. 


is  in  the  midst  of  the  throne,  shall  feed  us,  and 
lead  us  unto  living  fountains  of  waters,  and 
where  God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears  from  our 
eyes.” 

To  her  father,  who  said  to  her,  “ 1  fear  I  must 
lose  you;”  she  replied,  “Your  loss  will  be  my 
gain  !  I  have  a  building  of  God,  a  house,  not. 
made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens.”  And 
again  when  he  said,  I  think  you  will  fall  asleep 
in  Jesus  ;”  she  responded,  “  It  will  be  a  happy 
change.” 

As  her  friends  were  standing  around  her 
dying  bed,  she  said  to  a  brother,  “Have  you  any 
words  to  say  ?”  He  immediately  repeated  Psalm 
xxiii.  4 :  “  Yea,  though  I  walk  through  the  val¬ 
ley  of  the  shadow  of  death,  I  will  fear  no  evil, 
for  thou  art  with  me ;  thy  rod  and  thy  staff  they 
comfort  me.”  These  words  vere  very  reviving 
to  her.  She  seemed  to  feel  that  Christ  was  with 
her  in  that  trying  moment,  that  his  love  was 
shed  abroad  in  her  heart ;  for,  turning  herself, 
she  exclaimed  in  a  transport  of  joy,  “  Oh !  I 
would  not  give  up  Christ  for  all  the  world  1” 

“  Whom  have  I  in  the  heavens  high, 

But  thee,  0  Lord,  alone  ? 

And  in  the  earth  whom  I  desire, 

Beside  thee  there  is  none.” 

“I  hope  that  I  shah  meet  you  all  in  heaven, 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


119 


where  we  shall  be  forever  with  the  Lord.”  She 
wished  that  Christ  might  be  praised ;  and  that 
he  might  be  magnified  bj  her  dying  breath. 
To  her  brother  she  said,  “  I  hope  you  may  live 
with  Christ,  and  praise  him  throughout  the 
endless  ages  of  eternity.” 

She  was  asked  by  one,  if,  during  her  sickness 
she  had  not  often  experienced  something  like 
heaven  upon  earth.  She  replied  that  she  had. 
Her  earthly  course  being  nearly  finished,  she 
opened  her  eyes,  which  were  soon  to  be  closed 
in  death,  and  in  the  language  of  strong,  un¬ 
shaken  faith,  exclaimed  with  Job,  “  I  know  that 
my  Redeemer  liveth,  and  that  he  shall  stand  at 
the  latter  day  upon  the  earth :  and  though  after 
my  skin,  worms  destroy  this  body,  yet  in  my 
flesh  shall  I  see  God :  whom  I  see  for  myself, 
and  mine  eyes  shall  behold,  and  ncrt  another, 
though  my  reins  be  consumed  within  me.”* 
Once  she  broke  out  into  a  rapture  and  exclaimed, 
“  0,  to  be  ever  with  the  Lord,  what  a  happy 
change  I” 

A  little  while  before  her  death,  one  said  to 
her,  “  It  is  a  happy  thing  when  the  believer  can 
say,  when  about  to  leave  the  world,  ‘  I  have  fin¬ 
ished  the  work  which  thou  gavest  me  to  do.’ 
She  said  yes ;  and  added,  (though  with  great  dif- 


120 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST? 


ficulty,  her  breath  being  almost  gone,)  ‘I  am 
now  ready  to  be  offered,  and  the  time  of  my  de¬ 
parture  is  at  hand.  I  have  fought  a  good  fight, 
I  have  finished  my  course.  I  have  kept  the 
faith :  henceforth  there  is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown 
of  righteousness,  which  the  Lord,  the  righteous 
Judge,  shall  give  me  at  that  day;  and  not  to 
me  only,  but  unto  all  them  also  that  love  his 
appearing.” 

Her  faith  remained  firm  unto  the  end,  and  her 
hope -and  confidence  unshaken  to  the  last.  Her 
sky  was  clear  and  serene,  her  mind  calm  and 
composed,  and  thus  she  fell  asleep  in  Jesus,  and 
entered  into  the  joy  of  her  Lord. 

As  the  writer  gazed  upon  the  solemn  scene 
before  him,  he  could  not  but  feel  the  force  of 
Revelation  xiv.  13,  “  Blessed  are  the  dead  which 
die  in  the  Lord.”  A  few  days  before  this  young 
lady  died,  she  requested  the  following  verses  to 
be  read  at  her  funeral.  They  are  too  beautiful, 
and  impressive  to  be  omitted  here. 

“TO  MY  YOUNG  COMPANIONS. 

“  My  youthful  mates,  both  small  and  great. 

Stand  here,  and  you  shall  see, 

An  awful  sight,  which  is  a  type 
Of  what  you  soon  must  be. 

MI  used  to  appear  once  fresh  and  fair 
Among  the  youthful  crowd ; 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST 


121 


But  now  boliold  me  dead  and  cola 
Wrapped  in  a  sable  shroud 

KMy  cheeks  once  red,  like  roses  spread. 

My  sparkling  eyes  so  gay ; 

But  now  you  see  how  ’tis  with  me 
A  lifeless  lump  of  clay. 

“When  you  ars  dressed  in  ail  your  beet, 

In  fashion  so  complete, 

You  soon  must  be  as  you  see  me 
Wrapped  in  a  winding  sheet. 

“  Ah,  youth  beware,  and  do  prepare 
To  meet  the  monster,  death  . 

For  he  may  come  when  you  are  youngs 
And  steal  away  your  breath 

“  When  you  unto  your  frolics  go 
Remember  what  I  say ; 

In  a  short  time,  though  in  your  prun* 

You  may  be  called  away. 

*  Now  I  am  gone,  I  can’t  return ; 

No  more  of  me  you’ll  see ; 

But  it  is  true  that  all  of  you 
Must  shortly  follow  me. 

“  When  you  unto  my  grave  do  go., 

The  gloomy  place  to  see, 

I  say  to  you  who  stand  and  view. 

Prepare  to  follow  me.” 

And  now,  reader,  can  you  not  say,  “  Let  me 
die  the  death  of  the  righteous,  and  let  my  last 
end  be  like  his !  How  important  is  it  then  that 
you  should  now  choose  Christ,  in  order  that  you 
11 


122 


rHE  LOVE  0/  CHRIST. 


may  enjoy  his  love  and  presence,  not  only 
through  life,  but  also  in  the  hour  of  death !  If 
you  belong  to  Christ,  you  will  find  him,  in  the 
last  hour  of  life,  a  friend  that  sticketh  closer 
than  a  brother. 

What  an  awful  thing  it  is  to  die  without  sal¬ 
vation  by  Christ,  without  an  interest  in  him  ;  and 
yet  millions  live  without  God,  and  without  hope 
in  the  world  ;  and  millions  more  die  in  the  same 
awful  condition,  and  plunge  into  a  dark  and 
miserable  eternity.  O,  be  admonished  to  choose 
Christ  in  time,  and  he  will  be  yours  in  death, 
and  in  eternity. 

How  unspeakably  blessed  it  is  to  enjoy  the 
love  and  smiles  of  Christ  in  a  dying  hour! 
Then  what  can  the  world  do  for  you  ?  The 
tears  of  your  friends,  and  the  exertions  of  your 
physicians,  will  then  be  unavailing. 

It  is  Christ  alone  that  can  make  a  dying-bed 
easy  and  comfortable.  His  love  and  presence 
will  sustain  you,  and  his  almighty  arms  support 
you. 

“Though  unseen  by  human  eye, 

The  Redeemer’s  hand  is  nigh  : 

He  has  poured  salvation’s  light 
Far  within  the  vale  of  night  • 

There  will  God  my  steps  control. 

There  his  presence  bless  my  souL 
Lord  whate’er  my  sorrows  be, 

Teach  me  t  >  look  up  to  thee  " 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHETST. 


123 


lie  who  is  thus  with  you,”  says  an  excel¬ 
lent  writer,  “will  afford  all  needful  comfort  and 
support  in  the  trying  hour.  He  will  open  at 
that  time  treasures  of  grace  and  strength,  to 
which  you  had  been  previously  a  stranger.  The 
Redeemer  himself  is  present,  not  only  to  guide 
his  saints,  but  to  infuse  that  comfort  and  vigor 
which  will  abundantly  compensate  for  the  sink¬ 
ings  of  expiring  nature.  Who  but  those  who 
have  entered  heaven,  can  tell  what  unearthly 
joys  are  vouchsafed  the  saint  in  a  dying  hour  ? 
Often,  there  is  reason  to  believe,  they  transcend 
every  thing  possessed  in  the  present  life.  There 
may  be  visions  of  glory  realized  by  the  spirit, 
which  are  second  only  to  those  of  heaven.  The 
dying  experience  of  many  saints  has  been  of  the 
most  delightful  kind.  Whether  such  hopes  and 
joys  as  were  afforded  to  Janeway  and  others, 
will  be  vouchsafed  to  you,  }^ou  know  not ;  nor 
is  it  necessary  you  should  know.  Whatever  is 
needful  for  you  in  a  dying  hour,  Christ  will 
bestow.  He  says,  ‘  My  grace  is  sufficient  for 
thee.”*  Remember,  that  he  has  said,  “Fear 
not,  I  am  he  that  liveth,  and  was  dead ;  and  be¬ 
hold,  I  am  alive  for  evermore,  amen  ;  and  have 
the  keys  of  hell  and  of  death.”f 

When  we  contemplate  those,  whose  deaths  we 


*  2  Cor.  xii.  9. 


f  Rev.  i.  17,  13 


124  THE  LOYE  OF  CHRIST. 


have  recorded  in  this  volume,  we  may  justly 
say,  11  These  all  died  in  faith  and,  let  us  also 
be  11  followers  of  them  who  through  faith,  and 
patience  inherit  the  promises.”*  “  Wherefore, 
seeing  we  also  are  compassed  about  with  so 
great  a  cloud  of  witnesses,  let  us  lay  aside  every 
weight,  and  the  sin  which  doth  so  easily  beset 
us,  and  let  us  run  with  patience  the  race  that  is 
set  before  us,  looking  unto  Jesus  the  author  and 
finisher  of  our  faith.  ”f 

If  you  belong  to  Christ,  he  will  love  you  in 
life,  in  death,  and  in  that  happy  home,  which 
his  love  has  prepared  for  you. 

In  conclusion,  Christian  reader,  you  will  soon 
exchange  the  abodes  of  mortality  for  the  regions 
of  bliss.  Then  look  beyond  the  grave.  Do  not 
confine  your  thoughts  to  this  gloomy  place. 
Contemplate  the  sublime  raptures  of  your  future 
existence  beyond  the  precincts  of  time.  Christ 
shall  one  day  break  the  slumbers  of  the  grave, 
and  you  will  arise  to  immortality. 

The  love  of  Christ  does  not  stop  at  death.  It 
extends  beyond  this  solemn  period.  It  will  ac¬ 
company  you  into  the  heavenly  world;  your 
everlasting  happy  home:  and  you  will  soon 
arrive  there.  From  the  valley  of  the  shadow 
of  death  you  shall  ascend  to  the  summit  of  Zion. 

•Heb.  vi.  12.  f  Heb  xii.  1,  2. 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST.  125 


You  shall  “  Come  unto  Mount  Sion,  and  i  nto 
the  city  of  the  living  God,  the  heavenly  Jeru¬ 
salem,  and  to  an  innumerable  company  of  angels, 
to  the  general  assembly  and  church  of  the  first¬ 
born,  which  are  written  in  heaven,  and  to  God 
the  Judge  of  all,  and  to  the  spirits  of  just  men 
made  perfect,  and  to  Jesus  the  mediator  of  the 
new  covenant,  and  to  the  blood  of  sprinkling, 
that  speaketh  better  things  than  that  of  Abel.”* 
For  the  darkness  of  mortality,  you  shall  obtain 
the  bright  glories  of  heaven.  “  Thine  eyes 
shall  see  the  King  in  his  beauty ;  they  shall  be¬ 
hold  the  land  that  is  very  far  off.”j*  You  will 
possess  the  promised  land,  the  heavenly  Canaan. 
Then  shall  the  days  of  your  mourning  be  ended. 
Raised  in  the  likeness  of  your  blessed  Redeemer, 
you  shall,  finally,  be  presented  faultless  before 
the  presence  of  his  glory  with  exceeding  joy. 
Entering  the  fair  mansions  of  glory,  you  shall 
reign  with  your  glorified  Redeemer,  forever  and 
ever.  0 !  happy  issue  to  the  Christian’s  short 
pilgrimage  on  earth ! 

With  such  cheering  prospects  to  be  realized, 
can  you  not  also  say,  in  the  prospect  of  death, 
with  many  dying  saints,  “  I  have  a  desire  to 
depart,  and  to  be  with  Christ.  Amen.  Even 
so/  come,  Lord  Jesus,  come  quickly !” 

*  Heb.  xii.  22-24  f  Is.  xxxiii.  17. 

11* 


126  THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


In  the  following  chapters  we  shall  contem¬ 
plate  that  happy  home  which  Christ,  in  his 
great  love  for  a  lost  world,  has  now  gone  to  pre¬ 
pare  for  his  children.  “For  we  know  that  if 
our  earthly  house  of  this  tabernacle  were  dis¬ 
solved,  we  have  a  building  of  God,  a  house  not 
made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens.*''* 

“  How  liappy  is  the  dying  saint, 

Whose  sins  are  all  forgiven ; 

With  joy  he  passes  Jordan’s  flood. 

Upheld  by  hopes  of  heaven. 

'The  Saviour,  -whom  he  truly  lov’d, 

How  cheers  him  by  his  grace; 

A  glory  gilds  his  dying  bed, 

And  beams  upon  his  face. 

“Ecstatic  joy  and  heavenly  bliss 
Swell  his  enraptured  heart ; 

He  views  the  promis’d  land  of  rest, 

And  pants  for  his  depart. 

“Terror  and  dread  are  both  unknown; 

Sweet  peace  and  hope  appear, 

To  guide  the  blessed  traveller  home. 

And  all  his  footsteps  cheer. 

*  Angels  of  light  attendant  wait 
His  spirit  to  convey 

Beyond  this  drear  abode  of  night. 

To  realms  of  endless  day. 

•  2  Cor.  w.  1* 


127 


»  V 

THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


‘Oh!  may  I  live  the  life  of  faith. 
Abound  in  holy  love, 

Tiii  death  shall  bear  my  joyfhl  soul 
To  Z  on’o  courts  dbo\m.° 


128  THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


CHAPTER  IX, 

THE  HArPT  HOME  IN  VIEW. 

“  Ie.  my  Fathers  nouse  are  many  mansions :  I  go  to  pre¬ 
pare  a  place  fci  you.”— John  xiv.  2. 

“  As  when  the  weary  traveler  gams 

The  height  of  some  o’er-looking  hill, 

His  heart  revives,  if  cross  the  plains 
He  eyes  his  home,  though  distant  still. 

**  While  he  surveys  the  much  loved  spot, 

He  slights  the  space  that  lies  between ; 

His  past  laugues  are  now  forgot, 

Because  his  journey’s  end  ia  seen. 

**  Thus  when  the  Christian  pilgrim  views 
By  faith,  his  mansion  in  the  skies, 

The  sight  his  fainting  strength  renews, 

And  wings  his  speed  to  reach  the  prize. 

“  The  thought  of  home  his  spirit  cheers, 

No  more  he  grieves  for  troubles  past ; 

Nor  any  future  trial  fears, 

So  he  may  safe  arrive  at  last. 

‘  *Tis  there  he  says  1  am  to  dwell 

With  Jesus,  in  the  realms  of  dayj 
Then  I  shall  bid  my  cares  farewell. 

And  he  will  wipe  my  tears  away. 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


129 


“Jesus,  on  thee  our  hope  depends, 

To  lead  us  on  to  thine  abode; 

Assur’d  our  home  will  make  amends 
For  all  our  toil  while  on  the  road.” — Xewton. 


Christ  has  not  only  manifested  his  love  to  a 
lost  world  in  his  incarnation,  sufferings,  and 
death,  but  also  in  going  to  prepare  a  place,  a 
happy  home,  for  those  whose  salvation  he  has 
accomplished.  Said  the  blessed  Redeemer,  to 
his  sorrowful  disciples,  when  he  was  about  to 
leave  the  world,  “I  go  to  prepare  a  place  for 
you.”* 

Christ  has  manifested  most  amazing  love  to 
believers,  in  preparing  for  their  eternal  abode, 
mansions  of  glory,  a  house  not  made  with  hands, 
eternal  in  the  heavens ;  a  city  which  hath  foun¬ 
dations,  whose  builder  and  maker  is  God. 
Heaven  is  a  prepared  place  for  believers ;  pre¬ 
pared  by  Christ  in  his  infinite  love.  The  love 
of  Christ  will  make  heaven  a  glorious,  happy 
abode  indeed.  Oh!  what  a  happy  home  will 
heaven  be.  Thither  all  the  redeemed  shall 
finally  assemble,  to  spend  one  eternal  day  in 
the  glorious  presence  of  Immanuel.  Who 
can  fully  describe  the  joys  of  the  Christian’s 
happy  home  ?  Feeble  mortals  could  not  com¬ 
prehend  the  description  if  it  should  be  given. 


*  John  xiv.  2 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


*30 


What  human  mind  can  conceive  oftheun> 
speakable  blessedness  which  awaits  the  child  of 
God  in  that  upper  and  better  world,  his  happy 
home  I  Dear  believer,  to  know  what  heaven 
really  is,  you  must  put  off  mortality.  “  Eye 
hath  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard,  neither  have  en¬ 
tered  into  the  heart  of  man  the  things  which 
God  hath  prepared  for  them  that  love  him.”* 

Is  not  your  happy  home  always  in  view? 
Do  you  not  long  for  the  approach  of  that  joyful 
day,  which  will  introduce  you  into  the  mansions 
of  glory — bring  you  to  your  endless,  happy 
home?  How  short  is  the  space  that  lies  between 
you  and  gloryl  The  time,  how  short!  Al¬ 
ready  is  the  night  far  spent.  The  day  is  at 
hand ;  that  blessed  day  which  will  bring  each 
weary  Christian  traveller  home,  and  seat  him  in 
his  Father’s  house ;  that  house  not  made  with 
hands,  in  which  there  are  many  mansions. 

The  map  of  heaven  is  laid  wide  open  for  your 
inspection.  Often  obtain  a  glimpse  of  the  happy 
land.  Be  always  looking  heavenward  and  home¬ 
ward.  Let  heaven  be  always  in  your  eye,  and 
the  earth  under  your  feet,  and  in  a  little  while 
God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears :  you  will  reach 
your  journey’s  end;  then  faith  shall  be  turned 
into  vision,  hope,  into  fruition,  and  you  will 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


131 


be  fully  satisfied  with  the  goodness  of  God’s 
house. 

As  you  now  survey  the  glories  of  your  happy 
home,  does  not  your  heart  exult  at  the  prospect  ? 
And  is  not  the  thought  of  home  at  all  times  re¬ 
freshing?  What  name  is  more  endearing  than 
home,  sweet  home ;  around  which  so  many  hal¬ 
lowed  associations  cluster? 

Christian,  heaven  is  your  only  true  home. 
Here  you  have  no  continuing  city  nor  place  of 
abode.  The  divine  command  is,  “  Arise  ye, 
and  depart ;  for  this  is  not  your  rest.”*  “  There 
remaineth  therefore  a  rest  to  the  people  of 
God.”f  God  has  provided  a  better  home  for 
you,  than  this  polluted  world.  O,  remember 
that  you  are  a  stranger  and  pilgrim  on  earth. 
Let  your  course  be  onward  in  the  Christian’s 
journey.  Quicken  your  pace  on  the  road  to 
glory.  Your  happy  home  will  not  be  always 
in  view :  it  will  soon  be  in  possession. 

Header,  are  you  pressing  forward  to  the  Chris¬ 
tian’s  happy  home  ?  Is  heaven  the  home 
which  you  expect  to  reach  ?  Do  you  long  to 
arrive  at  those  everlasting  mansions  in  the  skies  ? 
Then  let  the  hope  of  eternal  glory  elevate  your 
affections  above  all  sublunary  objects,  “  If  ye 
then  be  risen  with  Christ,  seek  those  things 


*  Micali  ii.  10. 


f  Heb.  iii.  9. 


132  THE  LOVE  OF  CHKIST. 


which  are  above,  where  Christ  sitteth  on  tho 
right  hand  of  God.  Set  jour  affections  on 
things  above,  not  on  things  on  the  earth ;  for  ye 
are  dead,  and  your  life  is  hid  with  Christ  in 
God.  When  Christ,  who  is  our  life,  shall  ap¬ 
pear,  then  shall  ye  also  appear  with  him  in 
glory.”* 

The  ultimate  object  of  Christ’s  mediatorial 
work  is  to  bring  sinners  to  glory — to  God’s 
house — to  the  happy  home  :  there  they  are  to 
live;  there  to  reign  forever;  there  to  be  ever 
with  the  Lord.  God  will  bring  all  his  dear 
children  home  to  glory.  Then  he  will  leceive 
them,  and  be  a  father  unto  them,  and  they  will 
be  his  sons  and  daughters.  They  will  be  for¬ 
ever  with  their  kind  heavenly  Father — with 
their  blessed  elder  Brother — with  prophets  and 
apostles — with  saints  and  angels — with  one  an¬ 
other.  What  a  happy  meeting !  What  blessed 
society  will  the  saints  enjoy  !  Then  they  will 
have  gained  the  prize  of  the  high  calling  of 
God  m  Christ  Jesus.  They  will  receive  those 
crowns  of  glory  which  fade  not  away.  They 
shall  be  kings  and  priests  unto  God.  They 
shall  S3rve  him  day  and  night  in  his  temple 
above.  Blest  abode  I  Delightful  employment, 
that  ol  praising  God  I  Happy  they  I  who  aie 

*  Col.  iii.  1-4. 


THE  LOVE  CF  CHRIST. 


133 


to  spend  eternity  in  sucli  a  home ;  contrasted 
with  the  glories  of  which,  this  earth  is  darkness 
itself 

Christian,  soon  shall  the  interposing  vail  of 
mortality  be  drawn  aside,  and  yon  will  behold 
the  glories  of  that  land  which  no  mortal  pen 
can  now  describe.  But  is  heaven  soon  to  be 
your  happy  home  ?  Are  you  there  to  reign  with 
Jesus,  in  the  realms  of  everlasting  day ;  there 
to  behold  the  uncreated  glory  of  Immanuel  ? 
Then  how  trifling  should  the  transient  concerns 
of  earth  appear  to  you !  You  should  smile  at 
the  frowns  of  time.  The  angry  tempest  will 
soon  be  over.  The  swelling  waves  of  life’s 
ocean  will  soon  rise  no  more.  You  will  soon 
have  reached  the  desired  haven  of  eternal  rest, 
the  blessed  shores  of  immortality,  the  happy 
home ;  and  that  home  will  more  than  compen¬ 
sate  for  all  the  toil  by  the  way. 

“  Soon  will  you  reach  the  blest  abode, 

"Where  happy  pilgrims  ever  reign 
Soon  shall  you  see  the  face  of  God, 

And  all  the  bliss  of  heaven  obtain 


Live  with  your  happy  home  always  in  view. 
Let  the  glories  of  a  coming  eternity  revive  your 
drooping  spirits,  amidst  life’s  trials  and  life’s 
conflicts.  The  road  to  glory  is  but  a  short  one. 
A  moment  of  time  intervenes,  and  then  eternal 
12 


134  THE  OVE  OF  CHRIST. 


ages  commence  to  roll  away.  After  this  moment 
has  passed,  you  will  enter  upon  a  state  of  end¬ 
less  felicity.  Arrived  at  your  happy  home,  you 
will  take  up  an  everlasting  song  of  praise  ;  you 
will  celebrate  the  victories  of  redeeming  love, 
through  one  unending  day.  You  have  over 
come,  through  the  blood  of  the  Lamb.  You 
have  been  more  than  a  conqueror,  through  him 
that  loved  you.  And  now  you  shall  stand  a 
monument  of  God’s  love,  and  mere}7,  and  grace ; 
you  shall  be  made  a  pillar  in  his  glorious  tem¬ 
ple  above,  whence  there  shall  be  no  more  going 
out.  You  shall  live  with  Christ,  and  praise 
him  throughout  the  endless  ages  of  eternity. 
You  shall  behold  Immanuel  in  his  unveiled 
glory.  You  shall  praise  him  for  that  unbounded 
love,  which  has  obtained  for  you  immortal  bliss. 
0,  Christian !  the  love  of  Christ  has  procured 
that  unfading  wreath  of  glory,  which  will  one 
day  be  entwined  around  your  brow ;  that  radiant 
diadem  which  you  will  forever  wear.  The  love 
■>f  Christ  has  prepared  a  happy  home  for  your 
reception,  when  this  sublunary  scene  shall  have 
vanished  from  your  mortal  vision. 

All  the  happiness  you  enjoy  in  time ;  and  all 
the  glory  that  will  crown  you  through  eternity, 
flow  from  the  love  of  Christ.  Make  him  your 
boast  in  time,  your  all  in  all ;  and  may  he  be 
formed  in  you,  the  hope  of  glory. 


THE  LOVE  Ox  CHRIST.  135 


Happy  they !  who  have  fled  for  refuge  to  the 
world’s  .Redeemer.  He  will  carry  them  to  glory. 
Reader,  may  this  precious  Saviour  be  yours,  in 
life,  in  death,  and  in  eternity.  Conducted  by 
the  Captain  of  your  salvation,  you  will  also  reach 
the  Christian’s  happy  home,  and  realize  the  joys 
of  a  blessed  immortality. 

What  glorious  prospects  are  presented  to  the 
eye  of  faith,  the  spiritual  vision  of  the  Christian ! 
He  views  the  never-ending  glories  of  the 
heavenly  kingdom ;  and  in  that  view  he  loses 
the  sight  of  terrestrial  grandeur.  He  quickly 
glides  over  the  narrow  stream  of  time ;  till  he 
finds  himself  sailing  on  the  vast  unbounded 
ocean  of  eternity,  an  eternity  of  blessedness. 
He  lifts  his  eyes  to  the  hills,  from  whence  cometh 
his  help;  those  everlasting  hills  which  tower 
aloft,  beyond  the  swellings  of  Jordan  ;  beyond 
the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death.  He  expects 
soon  to  reach  the  heights  of  Zion.  “  They  go 
from  strength  to  strength,  every  one  of  them  in 
Zion  appeareth  before  God.”* 

In  the  mean  time,  0  my  soul,  meditate  upon 
the  glories  of  thy  happy  home.  What  must  be 
the  feelings  of  the  Christian,  when  he  views  all 
heaven  as  his  cwn ;  when  he  can  claim  all  the 
delight?  of  the  celestial  paradise  as  his,  and  looks 

*  Psalm  lxxxiv.  7. 


136 


THE  LOVE  OF  CIIR.  -JT. 


upon  the  world  to  come  as  liis  eternal  happy 
home ! 

Come,  Christian,  survey  the  happy  land,  j^our 
everlasting  home.  Life  is  fast  hastening  away. 
The  oscillating  tides  of  time  are  hearing  you 
onward  and  homeward.  Every  wave  of  life’s 
tempestuous  ocean  is  only  wafting  you  to  the 
happy  shores  of  a  blessed  eternity.  Then  look 
beyond  this  poor  dying  world !  Look  at  that 
eternal  home  which  Christ  has  prepared  for 
you !  View  the  celestial  city,  irradiated  by  the 
glory  of  God  and  the  Lamb !  See  the  pearly 
gates,  the  golden  streets,  the  shining  inhabitants 
of  the  New  Jerusalem !  The  uncreated  glory 
of  God  will  enlighten  that  city  of  everlasting 
habitation,  which  the  love  of  Christ  has  pre¬ 
pared. 

What  a  blessed  habitation  has  Christ  prepared 
for  believers  !  What  a  glorious  inheritance  has 
he  promised  them.  Come,  my  soul,  and  sur 
vey  it. 

“My  soul,  on  Pisgah’s  mourn,  ascend, 

Where  Moses  once  admiring  stood ; 

There  view  the  promised  land  extend 
Beyond  the  swelling  Jordan’s  flood 

“By  faith  survey  the  landscape  o’ei 
Where  living  waters  gently  flow; 

Till  earth  usurp  thy  love  no  more ; 

Till  all  th)  ki'  lling  passions  glow. 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST.  137 


u  In  that  blessed  region  of  delight, 

The  saints  nor  sin  nor  sorrow  feel, 

Eternal  day  excludes  the  night, 

And  all  possess  the  spirit’s  seal. 

“The  ransomed  soul  in  glory  clad, 

Shines  brighter  than  meridian  sun; 

The,  weary  pilgrim,  now  so  sad, 

There  finds  his  toilsome  journey  done.* 

O  my  soul,  rise  and  soar  aloft  to  tlie  heavenly 
Canaan !  Mount  up  as  upon  eagles’  wings,  and 
behold  the  king  in  his  beauty,  and  the  land 
that  is  afar  off.  Leave  the  world  to  those  who 
seek  their  pleasures  and  happiness  in  its  perish¬ 
ing  enjoyments,  and  set  thy  affections  on  things 
above,  where  Christ  sitteth  at  the  right  hand  of 
God. 

How  the  world  recedes  from  your  view,  as 
you  obtain  a  glimpse  of  the  heavenly  land! 
The  short-lived  pleasures  of  earth,  and  the 
transient  show  of  sublunary  magnificence,  no 
longer  fascinate  the  mind,  as  it  gains  a  Pisgah 
view  of  the  Christian’s  endless  happy  home,  the 
glories  of  which  baffle  all  description.  The  love 
of  Christ  is  most  illustriously  manifested  to  be¬ 
lievers,  in  his  going  to  prepare  such  a  home  for 
them.  0  matchless  love!  that  Jesus  has  not 
only  died  for  sinners,  but  has  gone  to  prepare 
mansions  above,  where  they  shall  reign  with 
12* 


138 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST 


him  in  eternal  glory  I  Hasten  on,  0  joyful  day, 
when  the  redeemed  of  the  Lord  shall  come  to 
Zion  with  songs ;  when  ransomed  sinners  shall 
commence  to  celebrate  the  wonders  of  redeeming 
love  in  mansions  of  glory  ! 

Look  forward,  Christian  reader,  to  the  con¬ 
summation  of  your  bliss.  With  joy  antici¬ 
pate  the  glories  of  the  resurrection  morning ;  a 
morning  that  will  dawn  upon  the  glorified  saint, 
without  a  single  cloud  to  darken  his  beatific 
vision,  or  obscure  the  glorious  rays  of  the  Sun 
of  righteousness,  that  will  arise  with  healing  in 
his  beams,  and  forever  gladden  the  hearts  of 
millions  of  happy  saints.  What  a  happy  day 
will  that  be,  when  all  the  children  of  God  shall 
reach  their  everlasting  home ;  those  mansions  in 
the  skies,  where  all  are  perfectly  blessed  in  the 
full  enjoyment  of  God  through  eternity ! 

Dear  believer,  in  humble  confidence  in  God, 
wait  with  patience  till  the  coming  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  ;  till  you  are  brought  into  the  full  posses¬ 
sion  of  the  heavenly  inheritance.  “  Blessed  be 
the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
which,  according  to  his  abundant  mercy,  hath 
begotten  us  again  into  a  lively  hope  by  the  re¬ 
surrection  of  Jesus  Christ  from  the  dead  ;  to  an 
inheritance  incorruptible  and  undefiled,  and  that 
fadeth  not  away;  reserved  in  heaven  for  you, 
who  are  kept  by  the  power  of  God  through  faith 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


139 


untc  salvation,  ready  to  be  revealed  in  the  last 
time.”* 

Blessed  Jesus !  keep  me  by  thy  almighty 
power  through  faith  unto  salvation.  Spirit¬ 
ualize  my  affections — elevate  my  views  to  the 
world  of  glory.  Wean  my  heart  from  the  fleet¬ 
ing  enjoyments  of  this  mortal  life,  this  perishing 
earth.  Satisfy  me  with  thy  goodness  and  mercy ; 
visit  me  with  thy  salvation,  and  at  last  bring  mo 
home  to  thyself  in  glory. 

“Then  let  my  soul  forever  raise 
The  incense  of  adoring  praise  ; 

And  join  the  heavenly  choirs  above, 

In  sweetest  songs  of  grateful  love.” 

Reader !  look  beyond  this  sublunary  scene  oi 
changing  mortality. 

m 

“All,  all  on  earth  is  shadow  ;  all  beyond 
Is  substance.  *  *  *  * 

How  solid  all,  where  change  shall  be  no  morel” 

Soar  aloft  on  the  wings  of  faith,  and  roam  in 
imagination  through  the  myriads  of  ages  that 
lie  beyond  the  precincts  of  time ;  and  in  those 
regions  of  immortality  prepared  for  the  just, 
may  you  realize  the  joys  of  endless  life,  of  an 
immortal  existence,  and  of  an  inheritance  before 
which  the  splendor  of  a  thousand  worlds  fades ; 


*  1  Peter  1.  3-5. 


140 


THE  LOYE  OF  CHRIST. 


which  will  endure  when  this  earth  and  &  11  her 
terrestrial  glory  shall  have  passed  away,  and 
when  the  sun  shall  have  cast  his  last  rays,  and 
the  stars  have  set  in  endless  night! 

“  Life’s  theatre  as  yet  is  shut ;  and  death, 

Strong  death  alone,  can  heave  the  massy  bar. 

This  gross  impediment  of  clay  remove. 

*  *  *  *  And  spring  to  life, 

The  life  of  gods  ;  oh  transport!  and  of  man.’' 

‘‘  Now  unto  him  that  is  able  to  keep  )  ou  from 
falling,  and  to  present  you  faultless  before  the 
presence  of  his  glory  with  exceeding  joy ;  to 
the  only  wise  God  our  Saviour,  be  glory  and 
majesty,  dominion  and  power,  both  now  and 
ever,  amen.”* 


*  Judo  L  $14  25. 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


141 


CHAPTER  X. 

THE  HAPPY  HOME  CONTEMPLATED - BEING  "WITH  CHRIST 

IN  GLORY. 


“Father,  I  will  that  they  also  whom  thou  hast  given  me,  be  with  ma 
where  I  am.” — John  xvii.  24. 

“So  shall  we  ever  be  with  the  Lord.” — 1  Thess.  iv.  17. 

In  those  blest  regions  of  delight, 

Where  Jesus  is  unveil’d  to  sight, 

No  mortal  tongue  can  e’er  express 
The  ransom’d  sinner’s  blessedness. 


What  mortal  pen  can  describe  tlie  glowing 
beauties  of  Immanuel’s  land  !  What  mortal 
tongue  can  express  the  blessedness  of  the  saints, 
when  gazing  upon  the  heaven-bright  glories  of 
Immanuel’s  form,  and  dwelling  forever  in  his 
glorious  presence,  under  the  resplendent  beams 
of  the  Sun  of  righteousness  I  This  is  what  the 
eye  hath  not  seen ;  what  the  ear  hath  not  heard ; 
what  the  heart  of  man  has  never  conceived. 
But  yet  this  blessedness  awaits  all  the  saints, 
and  will  abide  with  them  through  the  incessant 
flow  of  eternity’s  immeasurable  ages.  0,  happy 
thought ! 

Dear  Christian  reader,  Christ  has,  in  his  infin- 


142 


THE  l.OVE  OF  JURIST. 


ite  love,  now  gone  to  prepare  a  place,  an  endless 
happy  home  for  you ;  but  he  will  come  again, 
and  receive  you  to  himself.  He  will  not  always 
leave  you  in  this  vale  of  tears.  No :  when  this 
short  life  is  ended,  you  will  “  depart  and  be 
with  Christ;”  you  will  dwell  in  the  house  of 
the  Lord  forever.  Christ  will  bring  you  to  his 
Father’s  house,  where  his  glorious  presence  is 
enjoyed  withdut  a  medium.  He  will  welcome 
you  to  the  mansions  of  glory,  to  the  kingdom  of 
heaven.  “  Come,  ye  blessed  of  my  Father,  in¬ 
herit  the  kingdom  prepared  for  you  from  the 
foundation  of  the  world.”*  “  I  go  to  prepare  a 
place  for  you  ;  and  if  I  go  and  prepare  a  place 
for  you,  I  will  come  again  and  receive  you  unto 
myself;  that  where  I  am,  there  ye  may  be 
also.”f 

Thus  spake  our  Saviour  before  he  left  this 
world — before  he  ascended  to  heaven  from 
Mount  Olivet.  But  there  is  a  day  coming,  when 
that  same  Saviour  shall  break  through  the 
clouds  of  heaven ;  u  when  he  shall  come  to  be 
glorified  in  his  saints,  and  to  be  admired  in  all 
them  that  believe  in  that  day.” 

Job  obtained  a  glimpse  of  this  day.  He 
starts  forward  on  the  wings  of  faith,  and  be¬ 
holds  through  the  lapse  of  many  ages  the  divine 


*  Mattli.  xxv.  34. 


f  John  xiv  2,  3. 


143 


THE  LOVE  (F  CHRIS  r. 


form  of  his  Redeemer.  He  sees  him  with  his 
very  eyes.  “  I  know  that  my  Redeemer  liveth, 
and  that  he  shall  stand  at  the  latter  day  upon 
the  earth ;  and  though  after  my  skin  worms 
destroy  this  body,  yet  in  my  flesh  shall  I  see 
God :  whom  I  shall  see  for  myself,  and  mine 
eyes  shall  behold,  and  not  another,  though  my 
reins  be  consumed  within  me.”* 

Christ  shall  come  again,  to  gather  his  children 
home,  to  that  place  which  he  has  prepared  for 
them.  Then  shall  the  word  of  command,  issued 
from  his  blessed  lips,  go  forth :  “  Gather  my 
saints  together  unto  me,  those  that  have  made  a 
covenant  with  me  by  sacrifice.  For  the  Lord 
himself  shall  descend  from  heaven  with  a  shout, 
with  the  voice  of  the  archangel,  and  with  the 
trump  of  God;  and  the  dead  in  Christ  shall 
rise  first :  then  we  which  are  alive  and  remain 
shall  be  caught  up  together  with  them  in  the 
clouds,  to  meet  the  Lord  in  the  air ;  and  so  shall 
we  ever  be  with  the  Lord.”f  Then  shall  we  be 
ever  in  his  presence,  where  there  is  fullness  of 
joy  and  pleasure  forever. 

It  is  Christ’s  presence  that  will  make  the  very 
heaven  of  happiness,  the  very  centre  of  felicity. 
It  is  being  with  Christ  that  will  constitute  the 
purest,  brightest,  noblest  heaven.  What  would 


*.Job  xix.  25-27. 


t  1  Thess.  iv.  16,  17. 


144 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


heaven  be  to  the  saints,  did  they  not  enjoy  tne 
presence  of  Christ  ?  It  would  be  no  heaven  to 
them,  though  they  were  surrounded  with  the 
glories  of  the  New  Jerusalem. 

0  Blessed  Jesus!  may  we  be  going  up  through 
this  wilderness  world,  leaning  upon  thee  ;  walk¬ 
ing  by  faith ;  loving  and  serving  thee ;  and  may 
we  finally  be  brought  to  behold  thy  glorious 
face  in  the  realms  of  light,  in  the  paradise  above, 
and  be  ever  with  thee. 

“  What  is  the  world,  but;  grief  and  caret 
What  heaven,  if  thou  be  absent  there  ? 

Thy  glorious  face  illumes  the  sky, 

And  sheds  ecstatic  joys  on  high.” 

It  is  in  the  presence  of  Christ,  that  we  will 
participate  in  those  pleasures  which  are  at  God’s 
right  hand.  “In  thy  presence  is  fullness  of 
joy:  at  thy  right  hand,  there  are  pleasures  for 
evermore.”* 

Oh !  to  be  ever  with  the  Lord !  What  human 
mind  can  comprehend  the  blessedness  of  such  a 
state  ?  Christ  knows  this  blessedness ;  and  how 
fervently  he  prays,  “  Father,  I  will  that  they 
also  whom  thou  hast  given  me  be  with  me  where 
I  am,  that  they  may  behold  my  glory  which 
thou  hast  given  me.”f  This  prayer  will  be  an¬ 
swered.  We  shall  soon  be  with  Christ.  We 


•  Psalm  xvi.  11. 


f  John  xvii.  24 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


145 


all  all  soon  behold  his  glory.  Then  shall  we  see 
Him  as  he  is;  even  Him  who  loved  ns,  and 
washed  us  from  our  sins  in  his  own  blood ;  who 
died  on  Calvary  for  us ;  whose  blessed  hands, 
and  side,  and  feet  were  pierced  for  us ;  and 
whose  precious  blood  flowed  so  freely  to  wash 
away  our  sins :  to  Him  be  glory  forever !  Oh ! 
blessed  sight.  Then  shall  we  gaze  forever  upon 
the  uncreated  glory  of  Immanuel,  shining  forth 
in  full  unclouded  splendor.  Then  shall  we  be¬ 
hold  the  glory  of  that  blessed  Redeemer,  who 
left  the  regions  of  bliss,  to  assume  mortal  flesh 
and  die  for  us.  Then  shall  we  see  with  our 
very  eyes,  Him  who  was  crucified  for  us  on 
Calvary ;  but,  oh !  we  shall  see  Him  shining 
with  inconceivable  glory.  The  glory  of  Christ 
will  attract  the  ej^es  of  all  the  redeemed,  and  he 
will  be  forever  “  admired  in  all  them  that  be¬ 
lieve.”  “  The  Word  was  made  flesh  and  the 
glory  of  God  shall  shine  through  that  flesh, 
making  that  blessed  body  more  glorious  than  a 
thousand  suns. 

The  saints  shalT  dwell  forever  in  the  presence 
of , Immanuel.  Thrice  happy  they,  who  are  to 
spend  eternity  in  beholding  his  radiant  glory, 
and  in  encompassing  his  throne  with  everlasting 
songs  of  salvation  !  Then  shall  it  be  proclaimed 


13 


*  John  L  14. 


146 


THE  LOYE  OF  CHRIST. 


through  the  heavenly  mansions,  “Behold,  the 
tabernacle  of  God  is  with  men,  and  he  will 
dwell  with  them,  and  they  shall  be  his  people  * 
and  God  himself  shall  be  with  them,  and  be 
their  God.”* 

In  heaven,  the  saints  will  enjoy  the  society  of 
the  Lord  himself ;  which  is  the  perfection  of 
happiness.  Says  Christ,  “Where  I  am,  there 
shall  also  my  servant  be.”  0 !  to  be  ever  near 
Him  ;  to  see  Him  as  he  is ;  to  be  like  him  ;  to 
behold  his  glory ;  to  have  that  glory  revealed  in 
us;  to  praise  Him  eternally  in  the  mansions 
above :  what  a  happy  home  will  this  be !  “  Be¬ 

loved,  now  are  we  the  sons  of  God,  and  it  doth 
not  yet  appear  what  we  shall  be ;  but  we  know 
that  when  he  shall  appear,  we  shall  be  like  him, 
for  we  shall  see  him  as  he  is.”f 

Oh,  to  be  like  the  blessed  Jesus ;  to  see  him 
in  glory!  What  heart  would  desire  moreV 
Then  shall  we  commence  to  tread  with  our  elder 
Brother,  and  adorable  Redeemer,  the  ceaseless 
round  of  eternity.  Then  shall  the  wonders  of  his 
love  be  incessantly  unfolded  before  us  *  causing 
new  songs  of  praise  to  ascend  from  our  en¬ 
raptured  souls,  to  Him  that  sitteth  upon  the 
throne.  Who  can  express  the  delights  the  saints 
must  feel,  when  they  look  into  the  face  of 


*  Rev.  xx’.,  3. 


f  1  John  iii.  2. 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST.  •  147 


Christ,  and  there  read  his  tender  love  to  them ! 
But  oh  how  completely  engulfed  in  the  abyss 
of  infinite  love,  and  lost  in  wonder  and  praise, 
must  our  souls  be,  when  we  gaze  upon  the 
scars  which  mark  the  hands  and  feet  and  side 
of  our  blessed  Saviour,  and  there  read  the  im¬ 
mensity  of  that  love  which  made  him  die  for 
us !  “  And  I  beheld,  and  lo,  in  the  midst  of 

the  throne,  and  of  the  four  beasts,  and  in  the 
midst  of  the  elders,  stood  a  Lamb  as  it  had 
been  slain.”*  In  those  blessed  regions,  where 
He  is  unveiled  to  the  sight  of  mortals,  Jesus 
will  gladden  our  hearts  with  perpetual  joy, 
and  love  us  with  an  everlasting  love. 

It  is  the  privilege  of  believers  to  be  with 
Christ;  to  spend  eternity  in  his  presence;  to 
gaze  forever  upon  the  Sun  of  Kighteousness, 
shining  in  his  meridian  splendor.  That  sun 
will  never  set  in  the  “new  heavens.”  His 
beams  will  always  irradiatp  the  city  of  our  God, 
our  happy  dwelling  place. 

Christ’s  presence  will  make  “our  Father’s 
house”  a  glorious  home,  a  happy  abode,  a 
blessed  habitation.  Where  he  is,  there  will 
heaven  be.  His  glorious  presence  will  illu¬ 
minate  the  abode  of  the  blessed,  the  realms  of 
everlasting  day.  And,  believer  when  you  come 

*  Rev.  v.  *). 

/ 


148  THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


to  dwell  in  those  blissful  mansions,  his  presence 
his  society,  his  love,  and  his  celestial  voice  will 
cause  your  enraptured  soul  to  rejoice  ;  and  eter¬ 
nity  'will  be  spent  in  being  with  him,  and  in 
beholding  his  glory. 

“  Oh!  to  hear  that  voice  speak  ineffable  peace 
and  consolation  to  your  soul ;  to  see  Him  as  he 
is,  whose  glory  infinitely  surpasses  all  objects 
of  nature  and  of  art;  to  see  those  dear  hands, 
and  feet,  and  head,  whose  wounds  in  suffering 
for  you  will  be  more  brilliant  and  beautiful  in 
your  eye  than  the  topaz  of  Ethiopia :  yea,  to 
have  his  glory  revealed  in  you  ;  to  be  perfectly 
like  him,  and  to  reign  with  him  :  what  a  heaven 
will  this  be!  Then  your  unbounded  desires, 
which  the  whole  creation  could  not  limit,  shall 
be  satisfied  with  the  full  fruition  of  immortal 
love.  You  shall  be  refreshed  with  the  emana¬ 
tions  of  uncreated  life  and  joy,  and  shall  drink 
at  the  fountain-head  of  pleasure.  You  shall 
mingle  with  society  the  most  pure,  perfect  and 
lovely,  whose  glory  is  only  surpassed  by  that 
of  Him  that  sitteth  upon  the  throne.  You  shall 
dwell  with  kindred  spirits,  in  everlasting  har¬ 
mony.  Your  employment  shall  combine  all 
the  excellencies  of  ease,  delight,  and  perpetuity. 
You  will  have  nothing  to  do  but  to  worship 
and  serve  God,  and  shall  have  ability  to  wor¬ 
ship  and  serve  him  forever.” 


I  ' 

THE  LOYE  OF  CHRIST.  149 


What  a  happy  home  ■will  heaven  be,  where 
we  shall  be  ever  with  the  Lord !  How  happy 
will'  the  saints  be,  when  they  come  to  dwell  in 
that  heavenly  home — in  that  glorious  palace, 
where  “He  that  sitteth  on  the  throne  shall 
dwell  among  them  where  “  the  Lamb  which 
is  in  the  midst  of  the  throne  shall  feed  them, 
and  shall  lead  them  unto  living  fountains  of 
waters :  and  God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears  from 
their  eyes.”f 

Of  that  celestial  city,  in  which  the  saints  are 
to  make  their  eternal  home,  it  is  said,  “the 
throne  of  God  and  of  the  Lamb  shall  be  in  it , 
and  hig  servants  shall  serve  him,  and  they  shall 
see  his  face,  and  his  name  shall  be  in  their  fore¬ 
heads.”^: 

The  saints,  in  heaven,  shall  see  Christ  with 
their  bodily  eyes.  W e  shall  see  Him,  who  loved 
us,  and  gave  himself  for  us.  “Now  we  see 
through  a  glass,  darkly ;  but  then,  face  to  face.”§ 
Yes,  we  shall  behold  His  glorious  face,  and  be 
fully  satisfied  with  his  immortal  love. 

We  hope  shortly"  to  exchange  the  trials  and 
afflictions  of  thisf  vale  of  tears — this  suffering, 
dying  world,  fojr  the  glories  of  eternity;  and 
be  ever  with  the  Lord.  Then  will  we  have 

*  Rev.  vii.  15.  f  Rev.  vii.  17 

%  Rev.  xxll  3,  4.  §  1  Cor.  xiii.  12. 

13 


!50  THE  LOYE  OF  CHRIST. 


done  with  transitory  life,  with  grief  and  care. 
Then  will  we  drink  of  affliction’s  bitter  cup  no 
more,  and  death  itself  will  have  lost  its  power 
over  us.  Then  shall  we  be  lodged  in  the  re¬ 
gions  of  immortality,  and  be  ever  with  the  Lord. 
And  when  ten  thousand  times  ten  thousand 
years  have  rolled  away;  when  ages  countless 
hs  the  stars  which  deck  the  midnight  sky  have 
run  their  ample  round,  it  may  be  said  that  we 
are,  as  it  were,  just  beginning  to  be  ever  with 
the  Lord ;  that  we  are  just  beginning  to  behold 
his  glory,  and  to  look  into  that  wonderful  coun¬ 
sel  of  love,  that  glorious  plan  of  salvation,  which 
will  be  our  theme  of  meditation,  of  wonder,  and 
of  praise  through  the  ceaseless  ages  of  eternity. 
Then  shall  we  know  the  joy  of  being  with 
Christ.  Then,  there  shall  be  no  more  separa¬ 
tion  between  Christ  and  his  people  :  they  shall 
then  be  brought  near  him,  and  abide  with  him 
forever. 

“  0  glorious  hour !  0  blest  abode  I 

I  shall  be  near  and  like  my  God  1 
And  flesh  and  sin  no  more  control 
The  sacred  pleasure  of  the  soul.” 

It  will  be  Christ’s  amazing  love  that  will  then 
fill  our  hearts  with  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of 
glory.  It  will  be  the  brighter  manifestation  of 
that  love  which  will  cause  our  souls  to  over- 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST.  151 


flow  with  ecstatic  joy,  as  we  dwell  m  the  pres¬ 
ence  of  Immanuel,  and  surround  his  throne, 
and  behold  his  glory.  Then  shall  we  be  better 
“  able  to  comprehend  with  all  saints  what  is  the 
breadth,  and  , length,  and  depth,  and  height , 
and  to  know  the  love  of  Christ,  which  passeth 
knowledge.”  Then  shall  we  “be  filled  with  all 
the  fullness  of  God.” 

Oh!  the  infinite  love  of  Christ,  that  he  should 
bring  .sinners  to  glory,  to  dwell  in  his  presence, 
to  spend  eternity  with  him !  “So  shall  we  ever 
be  with  the  Lord.”* 

“  By  faith  I  see  the  hour  at  hand, 

When  in  his  presence  I  shi.ll  stand : 

Then  will  it  be  my  endless  bliss, 

To  £3e  him  where  and  as  1  e  is.” — Fewtom 

*  Th«we.  hr.  1 7. 


152 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST 


CHAPTER  XI. 

THE  HAPI  *  HOME  CONTEMPLATED. - THE  BLESSEDNESS 

OF  THE  SAINTS. 

“In  tby  presence  is  fuLness  of  ioy;  at  th}' right  hand 
there  are  pleasures  for  evermore.” — Psalm  xvi.  11. 

Come,  0  my  soul,  retire  from  the  noise, 
bustle,  and  tumult  of  a  vain  world,  and  contem¬ 
plate  thy  happy  home  in  the  heavens!  Look 
beyond  this  present  fleeting  scene  of  existence, 
and  view  thy  future,  eternal  resting  place ;  and 
may  the  bright  glories  of  heaven,  elevate  thy 
views  and  raise  thy  affections  above  the  tran¬ 
sitory  pleasures  of  this  decaying  scene. 

Under  the  pleasing  emblem  of  a  happy 
home,  heaven  is  most  beautifully  set  forth. 
Christ  calls  it  his  Father’s  house.  “In  my 
Father’s  house  are  many  mansions.”*  If  we 
are  the  children  of  God,  we  may  also  call  it  our 
Father’s  house,  our  happy  home;  and  each  be¬ 
liever  may  say  with  the  Psalmist,  “  I  will  dwell 
in  the  house  of  the  Lord  forever. ”f 


*  John  xiv.  2. 


f  Psalm  xxiii.  6. 


1 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST.  153 


Heaven  is  also  described  as  a  glorious  city. 
In  his  sublime  vision  of  the  heavenly  world, 
John  thus  speaks :  “And  I  John  saw  the  holy 
city,  new  Jerusalem,  coming  down  from  God 
out  of  heaven,  prepared  as  a  bride  adorned  for 
her  husband;”  “Having  the  glory  of  God: 
and  her  light  was  like  unto  a  stone  most  pre¬ 
cious,  even  like  a  jasper  stone,  clear  as  crystal.”* 
The  streets  of  this  city  are  of  gold ;  and  the 
gates  of  pearl.  “And  the  twelve  gates  were 
twelve  pearls ;  and  the  street  of  the  city  was 
pure  gold,  as  it  were  transparent  glass.”f  And 
John  adds,  “  I  saw  no  temple  therein,  for  the 
Lord  God  Almighty,  and  the  Lamb,  are  the 
temple  of  it.”J 

In  this  celestial  city  which  is  thus  beautified 
by  the  creative  power  of  God,  and  enlightened 
with  his  glory,  the  saints  are  to  spend  the  cease¬ 
less  ages  of  a  glorious  and  happy  eternity. 
This  is  that  city  which  prophets  and  apostles 
and  saints  of  every  age,  have  desired,  and  longed 
for ;  that  city  which  Abraham,  when  “  he  so¬ 
journed  in  the  land  of  promise,  as  in  a  strange 
country,”  looked  for.  “  For  he  looked  for  a 
city  which  hath  foundaticns,  whose  builder  and 
maker  is  God.”§ 


*  Rev  xxi  2,  11. 
\  Rev.  xxi  22. 


f  Rev.  xxi.  21. 
8  Heb.  xi.  10. 


154 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST.  ' 


Heaven  is  that  b^-jer  country  which  ah  the 
saints  of  old,  who  confessed  that  they  were 
strangers  and  pilgrims  on  the  earth,  desired  and 
sought  to  obtain.  “But  now  they  desire  a 
better  country,  that  is,  a  heavenly ;  wherefore 
God  is  not  ashamed  to  be  called  their  God ;  for 
he  hath  prepared  for  them  a  city.”*  To  this 
heavenly  home,  God  will  bring  all  his  children, 
and  Jesus  will  there  dwell  among  them,  for 
ever  and  ever. 

When  all  the  spirits  shall  be  brought  home 
to  be  forever  with  the  Lord,  they  will  be  per¬ 
fectly  blessed.  They  will  enjoy  the  assurance 
of  Christ’s  love,  and  the  eternal  smiles  of  his 
countenance!  What  heart  can  conceive  the 
unutterable  bliss  of  the  Redeemed,  when  brought 
into  the  glorious  palace  of  the  great  King,  where 
there  is  fullness  of  joy,  and  pleasures  for  ever¬ 
more.  They  will  be  far  from  a  world  of  grief, 
and  sin.  They  will  be  beyond  the  reach  of 
suffering.  No  gloom  or  sorrow  shall  ever  be 
cloud  their  bright  spirits  in  the  presence  of 
Christ.  They  shall  be  forever  happy  with  him. 
Reaching  the  happy  shores  of  Immanuel’s  land, 
they  shall  dwell  with  God.  They  shall  see 
him.  “  Blessed  are  the  pure  in  heart,  for  they 
shall  see  God.”+  Their  souls  shall  be  filled 

1  v. 


*  HeV  xi.  16. 


f  Matt  v.  8. 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


155 


with  unutterable  bliss,  amid  the  splendors  of 
beatific  vision,  and  the  sublime  raptures  of  ce¬ 
lestial  joys.  The  ineffable  glories  of  the  Deity, 
shall  then  beam  forth  upon  the  redeemed. 
And,  “then  shall  the  righteous  shine  forth,  as 
the  sun,  in  the  kingdom  of  their  Father.”*  To 
the  love  of  Christ  the  saints  will  owe  all  their 
blessedness  in  another  world. 

Let  us  contemplate  this  blessedness.  In  the 
word  of  God  we  see  it  described.  In  the  7th 
chapter  of  Revelation  there  is  contained  a  glimpse 
of  heaven — of  the  redeemed  in  glory. 

There  we  find  that  when  all  the  redeemed 
shall  be  brought  home  to  glory,  they  will  form 
a  mighty  host.  “  After  this  I  beheld,  and,  lo,  a 
great  multitude,  which  no  man  could  number, 
of  all  nations,  and  kindreds,  and  people,  and 
tongues,  stood  before  the  throne,  and  before 
the  Lamb,  clothed  with  white  robes  and  palms 
in  their  hands.”f  Millions  of  Adam’s  sons  and 
daughters  shall  be  brought  to  glory,  through 
the  merits  of  Immanuel. 

There  we  find  whence  this  mighty  multitude 
came.  To  the  questions,  “  What  are  these  which 
are  arrayed  in  white  robes  ?  and  whence 
came  they?”  it  is  answerel,  “These  are  they 
which  come  out  of  great  tabulation,  and  have 


*  Matt.  xiii.  43. 


•f  Rsv.  vii.  \ 


156  THE  LOYE  OF  CHRIST 


washed  their  robes,  and  made  them  white  in 
the  blood  of  the  Lamb.”* 

The  saints  have  travelled  a  rough  road  to 
glory,  and  have  come  ont  of  great  tribulation. 
Many  of  them  have  gone  through  the  fires  of 
persecution,  and  their  souls  have  ascended  to 
glory  amid  the  flames  of  martyrdom.  Many 
of  that  blessed  number  who  now  stand  before 
God,  “were  stoned,  were  sawn  asunder,  were 
tempted,  were  slain  with  the  sword,”  were  once 
“  destitute,  afflicted,  tormented  ;”f  but  they  have 
come  out  of  all  their  tribulations,  and  are  now 
happy  before  the  throne  of  God. 

The  saints  have  all  washed  their  robes  and 
made  them  white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb. 
They  are  invested  with  the  snowy,  spotless 
robe  of  the  Eedeemer’s  righteousness.  “  This,” 
says  an  eloquent  writer, :j:  “is  the  only  garb 
which  a  child  of  Adam  can  wear  before  the 
throne  of  God.  And  though  the  apparel  of 
some  may  be  more  curiously  wrought  and  ex¬ 
quisitely  embroidered  than  that  of  others,  though 
the  hand  of  the  beautifying  Spirit  may  have 
made  it  ‘raiment  of  needle-work’' — the  hue  and 
lustre  of  each  is  the  same.  Every  spirit  in  glory 
wears  the  vesture  radiant  with  redeeming  right* 

*  Rev.  vii.  14.  f  Heb.  xi.  S7. 

J  Rev  J.  Hamilton,  of  London. 

12' 


L 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


157 


eousness — tlie  siowy  robe  which  speaks  of  the 
fountain  opened,  and  which  will  commemorate 
through  eternity,  the  blood  of  the  Lamb.” 

The  employment  of  the  saints  in  heaven  is 
also  described  in  this  glorious  vision.  They 
serve  God.  “  Therefore  are  they  before  the 
throne  of  God,  and  serve  him  day  and  night 
in  his  temple.”*  “  They  cry  with  a  loud  voice, 
saying,  Salvation  to  our  God  which  sitteth  upon 
the  throne,  and  unto  the  Lamb.”f  “And  his 
servants  shall  serve  him.”J 

Arnat  a  contrast  is  there  between  the  service 
of  God  on  earth,  and  in  heaven !  Here,  all  our 
divine  services  are  imperfectly  performed :  there, 
all  is  perfection  itself.  Here,  when  the  spirit  is 
often  willing,  the  flesh  is  weak,  and  soon  wearied, 
even  in  the  sweetest  seasons  of  devotion  and 
heavenly  meditation :  there  “  they  rest  not  day 
and  night,  saying  Holy,  holy,  holy,  Lord  God  Al¬ 
mighty,  which  was,  and  is,  and  is  to  come.”§ 
And  again,  “Thou  art  worthy,  0  Lord,  to  re¬ 
ceive  glory  and  honor  and  power ;  for  thou  hast 
created  all  things,  and  for  thy  pleasure  they  are 
and  were  created.  ”|| 

The  employment  of  redeemed  saints  will  be 
that  of  everlasting  praiae  and  adoration.  They 

w 

*  Rev.  vii.  15.  +  Rev  vii.  1C.  \  Rev.  xxii.  & 

§  Rev.  iv  8  J  Rev.  iv.  11. 

14 


158 


THE  LOVE  OP  CHRIST. 


will  praise  ana  admire  the  Saviour,  for  his  un¬ 
bounded  love  and  goodness  to  them.  They  will 
contemplate  that  glorious  salvation,  of  which 
‘the  prophets  have  inquired  and  searched  dili¬ 
gently,”  and  which  “  the  angels  desire  to  look 
into.”  Redemption  and  salvation  by  Christ  will 
constitute  their  unending  theme  ;  in  the  contem¬ 
plation  of  which,  their  souls  shall  be  lost  in  won¬ 
der,  love  and  praise. 

A  crucified  Saviour  will  be  the  wonder  of 
heaven,  and  will  employ  ransomed  souls  in  holy 
meditations  through  an  inconceivable  eternity. 
“  Christ  crucified,”  says  an  excellent  old  divine,* 
“  is  the  library  which  triumphant  souls  will  be 
studying  in  to  all  eternity.  Eternity  itself  will 
be  too  short,  in  which  to  unfold  the  wonders  of 
redeeming  love,  or  to  speak  the  praises  of  that 
blessed  Redeemer  who  was  crucified  on  Calvary 
for  a  sinful  world.  With  increasing  wonder 
and  admiration  shall  that  ransomed  host,  who 
stand  upon  Mount  Zion,  eternally  search  into 
the  wonders  of  Christ’s  redeeming  love  as  man¬ 
ifested  to  them.  And  all  the  redeemed,  casting 
their  crowns  before  the  throne  in  token  of  their 
own  unworthiness,  shall  unite  in  one  long,  loud, 
adoring  anthem  of  praise ;  in  one  grand,  ever¬ 
lasting  chorus :  ‘  W ortLy  is  the  Lamb  that  was 


*  Bish  >p  S  illingfleet  in  Origines  Sacrae,  lib.  3,  c.  6. 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


159 


\ 


slain  to  receive  power,  and  riclies,  and  wisdom, 
and  strength,  and  honor,  and  glory,  and  bless¬ 
ing.  ‘Blessing,  and  honor,  and  glory,  and 
power,  be  unto  him  that  sitteth  upon  the  throne, 
and  unto  the  Lamb  forever  and  ever.’*  They 
sing  unceasing  praises  to  him  who  loved  them, 
and  washed  them  from  their  sins  in  his  own 
blood.  ‘  Unto  him  that  loved  us,  and  washed 
us  from  our  sins  in  his  own  blood,  and  hath 
made  us  kings  and  priests  unto  God  and  his 
Father;  to  him  be  glory  and  dominion  forever 
and  ever.  Amen.’f  ‘  They  sing  the  song  of 
Moses  the  servant  of  God,  and  the  song  of  the 
Lamb,  saying,  Great  and  marvellous  are  thy 
works,  Lord  God  Almighty:  just  and  true  are 
thy  ways,  thou  King  of  saints  !’ 

Such  is  the  employment  of  heaven ;  and  its 
blessed  inhabitants  shall  have  power  and  ability 
to  worship  and  serve  God  without  weariness, 
forever. 

The  saints  shall  be  perfectly  happy  in  the 
presence  of  Christ.  Free  from  all  sorrow,  they 
shall  possess  immortal  joys  in  the  presence  of 
Him  who  sitteth  on  the  throne.  They  shall  not 
know  what  sorrow  is  any  more.  All  tears  shall 
be  wiped  away ;  for  “  He  that  sitteth  on  the 
throne  shall  dwell  among  them.  They  shall 


*  Rev.  v  12,  1?. 


f  Rev.  i.  5  t, 


X  Rev.  3,  4. 


160 


THE  LOYE  OF  CHRIST. 


hunger  no  wore,  neither  thirst  any  more ;  neither 
shall  the  sun  light  on  them,  nor  any  heat.  For 
the  Lamb  which  is  in  the  midst  of  the  throne 
shall  feed  them,  and  shall  lead  them  unto  living 
fountains  of  waters;  and  God  shall  wipe  away 
all  tears  from  their  eyes.5'* 

Here,  the  saints  wreep,  and  wail,  and  experi¬ 
ence  the  distressing  calamities  and  sorrows  of 
mortal  life.  They  feel  the  mutations  of  this 
ever  varying  scene.  They  are  often  in  the 
depths  of  adversity  and  distress.  They- also  ex¬ 
perience  changes  in  the  spiritual  life.  To-day 
they  may  be  on  Pisgah,  with  heaven  in  their 
view,  rejoicing ;  to-morrow,  in  the  valley  of 
Baca,  weeping.  To-day,  the  sunshine  of  Chris¬ 
tianity  may  illumine  their  path ;  to-morrow  they 
may  wander  about,  enveloped  in  spiritual  dark¬ 
ness.  Here,  the  dearest  ties  are  cut  asunder, 
and  the  tenderest  cords  broken ;  which  causes 
the  heart  to  overflow  with  sorrow  Our  friends 
die,  and  tears  trickle  down  oui  cheeks ;  and 
perhaps  we  ourselves  go  down  with  sorrow  to 
the  grave.  “  Thou  feedest  them  with  the  bread 
of  tears,  and  givest  them  tears  to  drink  in  great 
measure.”f 

Thus  the  saints  keenly  feel  the  sorrows  of 
this  mortal  state;  but  in  heaven,  “Gcd  shall 


“Rew  .  15,  17. 


f  Psalm  lxxx. 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 

\ 


161 


wipe  away  all  tears  from  their  eyes ;  and  there 
shall  be  no  more  death,  neither  sorrow,  nor  cry¬ 
ing,  neither  shall  there  be  any  more  pain :  for 
the  former  things  are  passed  away.”* 

In  heaven,  the  saints  shall  obtain  everlasting 
joy.  “  Everlasting  joy  shall  be  unto  them.”f 
u  Therefore  the  redeemed  of  the  Lord  shall  re¬ 
turn,  and  come  with  singing  unto  Zion ;  and 
everlasting  joy  shall  be  upon  their  head:  they 
shall  obtain  gladness  and  joy,  and  sorrow  and 
mourning  shall  flee  away.”;]:  “  They  that  sow 

in  tears  shall  reap  in  joy.  He  that  goeth  forth 
and  weepeth,  bearing  precious  seed,  shall  doubt¬ 
less  come  again  rejoicing,  bringing  his  sheaves 
with  him.”§  And  then  “  the  days  of  thy 
mourning  shall  be  ended.”!  Our  joy  in  heaven 
will  be  full,  satisfying,  and  eternal. 

The  redeemed  shall  be  free  from  all  the  suf¬ 
ferings,  pains,  and  diseases  that  afflict  humani¬ 
ty,  and  render  this  mortal  life  one  continual 
scene  of  distress.  In  that  happy  world,  “  the 
inhabitant  shall  not  say,  I  am  sick :  the  people 
that  dwell  therein  shall  be  forgiven  their  in¬ 
iquity. 

Immortal  health  and  vigor  bloom  in  heaven. 
Sin,  the  cause  of  sickness,  and  pain,  and  sor- 

*  Rev.  xxi.  4. 

§  Psalm  cxxvi  5,  6. 

14* 


f-  Isaiah  lxi.  7.  \  Isaiah  li.  1 1. 

|  Is.  ^  21.  Is.  xxxiii.  24 


162  THE  LOYE  OF  CHRIST. 


row,  shall  be  excluded  from  that  blessed  world. 
There,  no  tears  bedew  the  cheek,  no  sorrows 
rend  the  heart,  no  pain  is  felt,  no  dissolution  is 
feared ;  for  death  itself  is  swallowed  up  in  vie 
tory.  “  And  there  shall  be  no  more  death.” 

This  is  nothing  but  a  dying  world.  Here, 
death  strikes  its  dart,  and  cuts  down  our  dear 
est  friends.  Perhaps  he  who  now  reads  these 
lines  may  have  stood  over  the  dying  bed  of  a 
dear  relative  or  friend,  and,  with  bitter  sorrow, 
taken  the  last  farewell,  and  witnessed  the  death- 
struggles  of  him  or  her  whom  he  loved. 

Death  annually  sweeps  off  a  multitude  of  the 
human  race.  The  sun  now  shines  upon  the 
graves  of  thousands,  who,  but  a  year  ago, 
bloomed  with  health  and  vigor.  Where  are 
they  now  ?  Gone.  Now  they  are  numbered 
among  the  dead.  Now,  clad  with  all  the  habil¬ 
iments  of  the  grave,  they  lie  cold  and  lifeless 
in  death’s  narrow  house — in  the  grave’s  dismal 
mansion. 

In  heaven  there  shall  be  no  more  death,  nor 
painful  separation  of  kindred  souls.  Eternal 
life  shall  be  enjoyed  by  the  blessed  inhabitants 
of  the  New  Jerusalem.  The  last  enemy  shah 
have  been  destroyed.  Then  will  God  say,  con¬ 
cerning  his  redeemed  ones,”  11 1  will  ransom  them 
from  the  power  of  the  grave;  I  will  redeem 
them  from  death :  0  death,  I  will  be  thy  plague ; 


t. 


163 


THE  LOYE  OF  CHRIST. 


0  grave,  I  will  be  thy  destruction.”*  Then, 
“  this  corruptible  must  put  on  incorruption,  and 
this  mortal  must  put  on  immortality :  then  shall 
be  brought'  to  pass  the  saying  that  is  written, 
Death  is  swallowed  up  in  victory.”f 

Tn  those  celestial  mansions,  all  the  immortal 
sons  of  God  shall  meet  in  blissful  harmony  and 
adoring  praise,  to  be  forever  with  the  Lord. 

The  saints  shall  enjoy  eternal  rest  in  heaven. 
“There  the  wicked  cease  from  troubling,  and 
there  the  weary  be  at  rest”^  They  shall  be 
perfectly  holy  and  happy;  and  shall  eternally 
bask  in  the  sunshine  of  God’s  immediate  pres¬ 
ence,  and  drink  of  those  perennial  streams  that 
issue  from  the  fountain  of  life.  The  Lamb  shall 
feed  them,  and  lead  them  to  living  fountains  of 
waters.”§ 

*  Hosea  xiii.  14.  j-  2  Cor.  xv.  53,  54.  \  Job.  iii.  17. 

§  “The  Godhead  is  a  boundless  sea,  on  ■which  the  thin 
island  of  creation  floats ;  and  though  the  region  be  ever  so 
dry  and  arid — a  burning  Baca — and  though  the  object  be 
ever  so  bleak  and  bald — a  grim  Horeb,  a  flinty  rock — it 
needs  only  the  touch  of  the  prophet’s  rod,  and  forthwith  a 
fountain  springs  as  exhaustless  as  that  divine  perfection 
whence  it  flows.  In  that  better  country  the  Horeb  never 
staunches,  and  the  Baca  never  dries:  the  fountains  play  per¬ 
petually,  and  the  waters  ever  live  ;  and  the  Lamb  is  familiar 
with  them  all.  To  the  woody  brink  of  one  he  leads  his  white- 
robed  followers ;  and  in  its  fringing  glcrie3  and  populous 
profound,  they  read  the  riches  of  creative  power  and  skill. 
To  the  melodious  vei’ge  of  ar_:ther  he  conducts  them  and 


164  THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST 


The  saints  shall  spend  an  everlasting  day  of 
light  and  blessedness  in  Immanuel’s  land ;  “  and 
there  shall  be  no  night  there.”  Eternal  day 
smiles  in  those  blessed  regions.  “  Thy  sun  shall 
no  more  go  down,  neither  shall  thy  moon  with- 
draw  itself ;  for  the  Lord  shall  be  thine  ever¬ 
lasting  light,  and  the  days  of  thy  mourning  shall 
be  ended.”*  v 

In  that  bright  world  which  the  saints  are  go¬ 
ing  to  possess,  all  will  be  irradiated  by  the  glory 
of  God  and  of  the  Lamb.  The  glorious  San 
of  righteousness  will  illuminate  the  heavenly 
world,  the  celestial  city.  “  Thy  sun  shall  be  no 
more  thy  light  by  day,  neither  for  brightness 
shall  the  moon  give  light  unto  thee ;  but  the 
Lord  shall  be  unto  thee  an  everlasting  light, 
and  thy  God  thy  glory.”f  11  And  the  city  had 
no  need  of  the  sun,  neither  of  the  moon,  to  shine 

in  the  fountain  of  light  which  gushes  high,  and  flings  its 
rainbows  wide ;  in  the  balm  scattered  by  its  wafted  dews, 
and  the  song  with  which  the  branches  wave,  they  hear  it 
endlessly  repeated,  *  God  is  love.’  And  to  another  still  he 
guides  them  ;  and  simple  as  the  margin  looks,  and  limpid 
as  the  waters  are,  it  dilates  and  deepens  as  they  gaze  ;  deep¬ 
ens,  till  it  mocks  the  longest  line ;  widens,  till  Gabriel’s  eye 
can  see  no  shore ;  and  in  its  fathomless  abyss,  and  ever-re¬ 
treating  bound,  they  recognize  the  divine  unsearchableness. 
In  Paradise,  every  fountain  lives,  and  each  fountain  s  a  les¬ 
son  full  of  God.” — Ibev.  J.  Hamilton, 

*  Is.  lx.  20>,  f  Is.  .x.  19. 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHR.ST. 


165 


in  it ;  for  the  glory  of  God  did  lights  a  fry  and 
the  Land)  is  the  light  thereof;  and  the  nations 
of  them  which  are  saved  shall  walk  in  the  light 
of  it,  and  the  gates  of  it  shall  not  be  shut  at  all 
by  day,  for  there  shall  be  no  night  there.”* 

The  saints  “  shall  inherit  all  things,”  and 
“  reign  with  Christ  forever  and  ever.”  Such  is 
the  blessedness  of  the  saints ;  and  to  crown  all 
their  heavenly  bliss,  it  will  be  eternal.  Heaven 
is  a  state  of  never-ending  bliss.  Eternity  stamps 
an  infinite  value  on  celestial  happiness. 

“  0  ye  blest  scenes  of  permanent  delight! 

Full,  above  measure!  lasting,  beyond  bound? 

A  perpetuity  of  bliss,  is  bliss.” 

With  regard  to  perpetuity,  what  a  striking 
contrast  there  is  between  earthly  and  heavenly 
joys!  How  transient  are  all  sublunary  pleas¬ 
ures?  “Passing  away,”  is  indelibly  stamped 
upon  all  that  is  terrestrial.  “The  world  passetk 
away,  and  the  lust  thereof.”! 

Youth  and  beauty,  health  and  strength,  riches 
and  honor  are  passing  away.  Incessant  changes 
characterize  this  globe,  and  all  its  inhabitants; 
but  no  such  changes  are  known  in  heaven. 

*'  Lord,  I  long  to  be  at  home, 

Where  these  c'iftDg^  never  cornel 


*  Rev.  xxi.  2f  -25 


f  1  John  ii.  17. 


166 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHrtlST. 


"Where  the  saints  no  winter  fear, 

Where  ’tis  spring  throughout  the  year , 
How  unlike  this  state  below  I 
There  the  flowers  unwithering  blow, 
There  no  chilling  blasts  annoy, 

All  is  love,  and  bloom,  and  joy.” 


The  joys  of  the  Christian’s  happy  home  never 
end.  The  pleasures  which  are  at  God’s  right 
hand  endure  for  ever. 

“  Oh  yes !  those  sweet  words  for  ever,  shall  be 
attached  to  every  thing  in  glory.  You  shall  eat 
of  the  tree  of  life ;  drink  of  the  water  of  life ; 
wear  the  crown  of  life;  you  shall  be  made  a 
pillar  in  the  temple  of  God,  and  there  shall  be 
no  more  going  out.” 

But  oh !  what  is  the  for  ever  of  heaven ;  who 
can  describe  it  ?  who  can  comprehend  vast  eter¬ 
nity,  the  measure  of  the  saint’s  bliss? 

“Were  the  house  you  inhabit,”  says  a  very 
pious  writer,*  “to  be  filled  with  the  finest  sand, 
and  then  emptied  so  slowly  that  but  the  smallest 
grain  should  be  taken  out  once  in  ten  thousand 
years,  how  many  millions  of  ages  should  pass 
away  before  the  last  grain  were  removed !  yet, 
compared  with  eternity,  these  countless  years 
would  be  like  the  twinkling  of  an  eye.  Were 
the  mighty  seas  which  dash  their  waves  upon 


*  Kev.  J.  G.  Pika 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHKIST.  167 


so  many  shores,  to  be  suddenly  changed  mtc 
one  mass  of  ink,  and  then  jO  be  employed  in 
numbering  down  figures,  and  the  last  figure  tc 
signify  a  million  of  years,  what  countless  ages 
would  be  numbered  down  before  the  seas  were 
emptied ;  yet  he  who  wrote  the  last  figure  might 
say,  1  These  ages  are  not  eternity ;  they  are 
nothingness  itself,  compared  with  that ;  less  than 
one  drop  to  all  the  sea ;  less  than  one  moment 
to  all  these  infinite  years ;  they  are  like  a  tale 
that  is  told ;  or  a  sigh  that  is  forgotten.' 

Were  this  vast  world  one  mass  of  sand,  and 
were  the  Most  High,  by  his  infinite  power,  to 
create  as  many  worlds  as  there  might  be  grains 
of  sand  in  this ;  and  were  he  then  to  commission 
a  ministering  angel  to  destroy  them  all,  by  re¬ 
moving  grain  after  grain,  yet  so  slowly  that  he 
should  remove  but  one  grain  in  a  million  of 
years,  what  millions,  and  millions,  and  millions 
of  years,  beyond  all  thought  and  conception, 
would  pass  away  before  one  world  were  thus 
destroyed!  and  0,  what  before  all  these  num¬ 
bers  were !  What  an  eternity  would  be  here ! 
An  eternity !  no,  not  a  moment,  compared  with 
it.  Sand  after  sand  would  be  removed,  though 
at  so  infinitely  slow  a  rate ;  world  after  world 
would  be  destroyed ;  and  the  angel  would  finish 
his  task,  but  not  finish  eternity.  Eternity  would 
be  eternity  still.  One  grain  of  sand  would  bear 


168 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST* 


some  proportion  to  these  numberless  worlds 
one  moment  to  these  countless  millions  of  ages: 
but  all  these  would  bear  none  to  eternity ;  when 
they  were  passed,  it  would  still  be  £  beginning — 
rather  beginning  to  begin.7  77  Such  is  the  foi 
ever  of  heaven. 

Eternity!  who  can  grasp  the  immense  idea 
which  this  short  word  conveys  ?  When  mil¬ 
lions  and  millions  of  ages  shall  have  passed 
away,  the  blessed  inhabitants  of  Immanuel’s  land 
will  be  young  in  immortality,  and  there  will 
still  be  stretched  before  them  an  “evermore,77  in 
which  they  w71  enjoy  perfect  blessedness  at 
God’s  right  hand. 

Oh!  what  a  blessed,  happy  home  is  heaven. 
“  And  what  a  home  for  us  to  return  to  and  abide 
in  forever !  A  home  prepared  before  the  foun¬ 
dation  of  the  world.  A  home  in  the  many  man¬ 
sions  ;  a  home  in  the  innermost  circle  of  creation, 
nearest  the  throne  and  heart  of  God ;  a  home 
whose  peace  shall  never  be  broken  by  the  sound 
of  war  or  tempest,  whose  brightness  shall  never 
be  overcast  by  the  remotest  shadow  of  a  cloud. 
How  solacing  to  the  weary  spirit,  to  think  of  a 
resting-place  so  near,  and  that  resting-place  our 
Father’s  house,  where  we  shall  hunger  no  more, 
neither  thirst  any  more :  where  the  sun  shall 
not  light  on  us,  nor  any  heat ;  where  the  Lamb 
that  is  in  the  midst  of  the  throne  shall  feed  us. 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST.  169 


and  lead  us  to  living  fountains  of  waters,  and 
God  sliall  wipe  away  all  tears  from  our  eyes.”* 

0  I  how  near  is  our  happy  home — it  is  just 
within  sight.  How  near,  how  very  neai  is  eter¬ 
nity  :  ii  is  even  at  the  door  ! 

Christian  reader,  ycu  shall  soon,  very  soon, 
reach  your  happy  home.  Already  your  earthly 
course  may  be  nearly  terminated.  One  step 
more,  and  you  will  have  gained  the  happy  shore3 
of  Immanuel’s  land.  Having  crossed  the  tem¬ 
pestuous  ocean  of  life,  }^ou  will  enjoy  the  re¬ 
freshing  breezes  of  heaven,  and  the  calm  repose 
of  the  saint’s  everlasting  home.  Your  redemp* 
tion  is  drawing  near.  “  Now  is  our  salvation 
nearer  than  when  we  believed.  The  night  is 
far  spent,  the  day  is  at  hand.”  A  few  more  suns 
will  rise  and  set,  and  then  the  unsetting  sun  shall 
rise  in  the  11  new  heavens.”  A  few  more  days, 
and  then  will  dawn  the  eternal  day.  A  few 
more  fleeting  years  will  pass  swiftly  by,  and  then 
the  everlasting  cycles  of  eternity  will  roll  on. 
You  will  soon  exchange  a  cross  of  suffering  on 
earth,  for  a  crown  of  glory  in  heaven,  immortal, 
incorruptible,  and  that  fadeth  not  away.  You 
will  soon  join  with  the  whole  family  of  God,  in 

*  H.  Bonar,  author  of  “The  Night  of  Weeping,”  and  “The 
Morning  of  Joy;”  two  charming  little  volumes,  written  in 
a  pleasing  style. 

15 


170 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 


the  contemplation  of  Christ’s  redeeming  love. 
One  theme, — that  of  redemption,  shall  then  em¬ 
ploy  every  soul,  and  every  tongue  shall  be  tuned 
to  the  praises  of  Immanuel.  With  your  re¬ 
deemed  companions  in  glory,  you  will  soon 
unite  in  that  sweet  song,  “  Unto  him  that  loved 
us,  and  washed  us  from  our  sins  in  his  own  (yea, 
his  own  most  precious)  blood,  and  hath  made  us 
kings  and  priests  unto  God  and  his  Father;  to 
him  be  glory  and  dominion  forever  and  ever. 
Amen.” 

The  time  is  short.  “  The  Lord  is  at  hand.” 
“  Surely  I  come  quickly.  Amen.  Even  so, 
come  Lord  Jesus.”* 

*  Rev.  KKii.  £0l 


PREFACE. 


In  presenting  these  pages  to  the  Christian  public,  the 
object  of  the  author  is  simply  to  exhibit  Christ  and  Ilim 
crucified  as  the  only  hope  of  a  lost  world. 

In  this  essay  we  have  endeavored  to  speak  of  the  Ex¬ 
cellency  of  the  subject — of  the  Person  of  Christ — of  the 
Glory  of  Christ — of  Christ  Crucified — of  Redemption  by 
Christ — of  the  New  Song  in  Glory — of  the  Sum  and  Sub¬ 
stance  of  the  Gospel — of  the  only  Hope  of  the  Sinner — 
and  of  the  Cross  of  Christ.  This  volume  is  now  com¬ 
mended  to  the  blessing  of  God.  May  He  grant  that, 
through  these  pages,  some  despairing  soul  may  be  led  to 
hope  in  Christ  and  Him  crucified.  May  sinners  be  at¬ 
tracted  by  the  glory  of  the  cross  of  Jesus ;  may  saints  be 
built  up  in  their  “  most  holy  faith  and  to  the  Eternal 
Father,  Son,  and  Spirit,  a  triune  God,  be  all  the  praise. 
And  now,  dear  reader,  in  the  language  of  William  Mason, 
u  I  commend  thee  to  God,  and  to  the  word  of  his  grace, 
wishing  thee  sweet  comfort  in  perusing  these  medita¬ 
tions.  If  oMr  Lord  give  thee  as  much  in  reading  as  I 
15* 


174 


PREFACE 


have  found  in  writing  them,  thou  wilt  have  great  reason 
for  love  and  praise.  Accept  them,  as  the  labor  of  one 
who  is  no  prophet,  neither  a  prophet’s  son,  but  who 
would  glory  in  being  a  saved  sinner,  by  the  cross  of 
Jesus;”  and  whose  delight  it  ever  is  to  dwell  on  the 
blessed  theme  of  redeeming  love. 

u  Blest  Saviour,  with  delight  I  dwell 
On  themes  no  mortal  tongue  can  tell ; 

The  glory  of  thy  cross  exceeds 
All  human  and  angelic  deeds.” 

Blessea  Jesus !  Let  the  words  of  my  mouth,  and  the 
meditation  of  my  heart,  be  acceptable  in  thy  sight,  0 
Lord,  my  Strength,  and  my  Redeemer.  Amen. 


“  Though  billows  of  sorrow  should  roll, 
And  surround  me  on  every  side ; 
Yet  thou  canst  the  tempest  control. 
My  Saviour,  my  Befuge,  and  Guide. 

'  Thy  smile  makes  the  soul  to  expand. 
And  graces  celestial  to  grow ; 

With  rapture  I  gaze  on  the  land 
Where  pleasures  incessantly  flow. 


(  Tis  there  my  dear  Saviour  resides, 

In  fulness  of  glory  and  grace; 

And  there  the  pure  river  that  glides 
Through  regions  of  joy  and  of  peace. 


“The  life-yielding  tree  there  shall  spread 
Its  branches  luxuriantly  round; 

The  saints  robed  ia  white  shall  be  fed 
With  fruits  from  Emanuel’s  ground. 


PREFACE 


175 


^How  deep  is  the  myst’ry  of  grace! 
The  theme  of  bright  seraphs  above ; 
To  see  the  sweet  beams  of  his  face, 

To  dwell  in  the  essence  of  love  1 

•  My  Father  1  thy  nature  is  love ; 

In  Jesus  thine  imago  I  view ! 

Oh  may  I  behold  him  above, 

And  praise  him  eternally  too. 


**  May  this  my  delight  ever  be, 

On  earth  his  rich  grace  to  reoord; 
And  when  from  these  temples  sot  fr>3 
With  joy  ascend  up  to  the  LofiV’ 


‘ 


1 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


CHAPTER  I. 

THE  EXCELLENCY  OF  TIIE  SUBJECT. 

“Yea,  doubtless,  and  I  count  all  things  but  loss,  for  the 
excellency  of  the  knowledge  of  Christ  Jesus  my  Lord.” — 
Phil.  iii.  8, 

In  the  physical,  intellectual  and  moral  world 
there  are  to  be  found  many  important  and  in¬ 
teresting  subjects.  The  whole  circle  of  science 
embraces  many  topics  of  absorbing  interest  to 
the  man  of  genius.  Human  learning  exalts 
man  to  that  grand  elevation  of  intellectual  great¬ 
ness,  from  which  he  views  nature  in  all  her 
magnificence,  revels  amid  her  beauties,  and 
roams,  in  imagination,  from  star  to  star,  from 
sun  to  sun,  where  the  Deity  reigns  in  all  the 
grandeur  of  his  attributes.  Ho  wonder,  then, 
that  human  learning  should  be  so  highly  prized, 
and  so  assiduously  sought  after  by  rational  be¬ 
ings.  But  thsre  is  a  subject  of  infinitely  greater 


178  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


importance  than  all  science  or  human  knowl¬ 
edge;  a  subject  which  above  all  others  may  be 
denominated  sublimely  great  and  interesting; 
and  which,  to  the  thirsty  soul  of  a  penitent  sin¬ 
ner,  is  most  refreshing  and  exhilarating :  that 
theme  is  Christ  and  him  crucified.  All  the  holy 
angels  that  surround  the  throne  of  God,  with 
all  the  redeemed  in  glory,  look  upon  this  sub¬ 
ject  with  unbounded  delight  and  increasing 
admiration,  but  can  never  fully  comprehend 
its  sublimity  and  moral  grandeur.  It  is  the 
unending  theme  of  heaven,  the  joy  of  saints,  the 
astonishment  of  angels.  It  is  a  subject  too  lofty 
for  human  skill ;  angelic  intellect  can  never  com¬ 
prehend  it.  We  cannot  adequately  declare  its 
vastness,  much  less  comprehend  its  fullness.  It 
is  inexhaustible  in  its  nature.  The  highest  in¬ 
telligences  that  move  amidst  the  glories  of 
Paradise  cannot  fathom  its  profundity.  The 
mighty  oceans  that  divide  continents,  and  dash 
their  waves  on  numberless  shores,  may  be  ex¬ 
hausted.  Not  so  the  excellency  of  the  knowl¬ 
edge  of  Christ  Jesus.  The  countless  luminaries 
that  decorate  the  nocturnal  sky,  and  light  up 
the  canopy  of  heaven,  may  be  extinguished  in 
eternal  darkness,  but  this  glorious  theme  shall 
shine  forever  in  the  perfection  of  beauty.  When 
the  last  lines  of  earth’s  history  shall  have  been 
written,  yea,  when  this  terrestrial  globe  itself 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  179 


sht*L  have  been  wrapped  in  the  flames  of  the 
judgment  day,  and  all  the  redeemed  brought 
home  to  glory,  Christ  and  him  crucified  will 
form  the  all-absorbing  subject  that  shall  engage 
die  capacious  and  exalted  minds  of  heaven’s 
blissful  inhabitants,  in  hcly  meditation  and 
rapturous  delight,  through  a  blessed  and  glorious 
eternity. 

Then,  believer,  if  you  are  to  spend  eternity 
thus,  should  you  not  employ  the  short  space  of 
time  which  intervenes  between  you  and  the 
realms  of  glory,  in  the  contemplation  of  this 
wonder  of  wonders,  this  mystery  of  godliness, 
a  crucified  Saviour  ?  May  God  in  his  infinite 
mercy  grant  that  you  may  be  led  to  form  the 
resolution  of  the  great  Apostle,  who,  when 
writing  to  the  Corinthians,  declares,  UI  deter¬ 
mined  not  to  know  any  thing  among  you  save 
Jesus  Christ  and  him  crucified.” 

“  Christ  crucified,”  said  an  old  divine,*  “  is 
the  library  which  triumphant  souls  will  be  study¬ 
ing  in,  to  all  eternity.  Other  knowledge  makes 
men’s  minds  giddy  and  flatulent;  this  settles 
and  composes  them :  other  knowledge  is  apt  to 
swell  men  into  high  conceits  and  opinions  of 
themselves;  this  brings  them  10  the  truest  view 
of  themse1veSi  and  thereby  to  humility  and 


Bishop  Sfillingfleet. 


180  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


sobriety :  other  knowledge  leaves  men’s  hearts 
as  it  found  them;  this  alters  them,  and  makes 
them  better.  So  transcendent  an  excellency  is 
there  in  the  knowledge  of  Christ  crucified  above 
the  sublimest  speculations  in  the  world.”  Should 
you  not  then  spend  much  of  your  time  in 
meditating  on  this  glorious  theme?  Where  in 
the  whole  world  can  you  find  a  subject  so  ex¬ 
cellent,  so  consoling,  so  animating  as  this  ?  O, 
then,  study  Christ  and  him  crucified.  Be  dili 
gent  and  ardent  in  the  pursuit  of  this  knowl¬ 
edge,  for  it  alone  can  guide  the  Christian  to 
immortal  bliss. 

A  knowledge  of  Christ  and  him  crucified,  is 
indispensable  to  salvation.  “I  am  the  way,” 
says  Christ,  “and  the  truth,  and  the  life:  no 
man  cometh  unto  the  Father,  but  by  me.”*  “  I 

am  the  door :  by  me  if  any  man  enter  in,  he 
shall  be  saved,  and  shall  go  in  and  out,  and  find 
pasture.”!  By  that  great  atonement  which  he 
made  on  Calvary,  our  blessed  Saviour  has  abol¬ 
ished  death,  and  brought  life  and  immortality  to 
light.  The  radiancy  which  the  knowledge  of  a 
crucified  Saviour  emits  amidst  the  darkness  of 
mortality,  dispels  the  gloom  that  overspreads 
the  mind,  and  dissipates  the  darkness  that  hovers 
around  the  pathway  to  immortality.  This 


John  xiv  6. 


f  John  x.  9. 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED  181 


knowledge  makes  tlie  Christian’s  eye  bright 
with  hope,  and  animates  him  on  his  way  to  the 
mansions  of  glory.  It  tears  asunder  the  veil 
that  hides  the  unseen  world  from  mortal  view, 
and  holds  up  to  the  Christian’s  enraptured  gaze, 
the  untold  glories  of  heaven.  It  points  directly 
to  the  only  sacrifice  for  sin,  Jesus  Christ,  the 
bleeding  Lamb  of  God.  It  leads  you  to  Calvary, 
where,  amid  the  affecting  and  overpowering 
scenes  exhibited,  it  opens  to  your  astonished 
view  the  portals  of  heaven,  and  pours  in  a  flood 
of  light  and  glory  that  dazzles  the  eye  of  the 
Christian,  sheds  effulgence  around  the  throne 
of  God,  and  beams  with  unclouded  splendor 
through  eternity  itself. 

The  saving  knowledge  of  Christ  and  him  cru¬ 
cified,  leads  the  sinner  to  glory  and  happiness  at 
God’s  right  hand.  It  will  crown  him  with  un¬ 
utterable  bliss.  It  will  prepare  him  for  the  en¬ 
joyment  of  heaven ;  for  the  reception  of  that 
unfading  wreath  of  glory  which  shall  be  en¬ 
twined  around  the  brow  of  the  faithful ;  for  that 
glittering  diadem  which  shall  be  placed  upon 
his  head ;  and  for  those  robes  of  salvation  with 
which  he  shall  be  eternally  arrayed  before  the 
throne  of  God.  How  important  then,  is  this 
knowledge  which  leads  to  such  blessed  results, 
to  such  unspeakable  glory !  0  that  each  of  us 

16 


182  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


may  become  experimentally  acquainted  with 
Christ  and  him  crucified. 

Permit  me  to  nrge  this  momentous  subject 
upon  your  serious  consideration.  You  should 
give  it  a  thorough  investigation.  Your  immor¬ 
tal  destiny  is  embraced  within  its  ample  scope. 
To  neglect  it,  will  be  at  the  peril  of  your  eternal 
happiness.  0  then,  we  beseech  you  with  the 
utmost  compassion  for  your  immortal  soul,  to 
attend  to  this  glorious  message,  the  proclamation 
of  a  crucified  Saviour,  and  eternal  life  through 
him.  This  great  and  all-important '  theme,  the 
glory  of  which  no  mortal  tongue  can  express,  is 
more  intimately  connected  with  your  present  and 
future  welfare  than  all  other  subjects  within  the 
range  of  human  acquisition. 

We  would  not,  in  this  little  volume,  display 
before  you  the  airy  speculations  of  philosophy 
or  the  various  charms  of  human  science  ;  but  we 
would,  with  ardent  language,  hold  up  to  your 
view,  Christ  and  him  crucified,  as  your  only 
hope ;  as  the  only  hope  of  a  lost  world.  Here, 
sinner,  is  your  hiding-place.  Under  the  shadow 
of  Him  who  once  groaned  and  bled  on  Calvary, 
you  can  find  eternal  repose.  “  And  a  man  shall 
be  a  hiding-place  from  the  wind,  and  a  covert 
from  ths  tempest  j*  as  rivers  of  waters  in  a  dry 


*  Is  xxxii.  2. 


CHKIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  183 


place,  as  the  shadow  of  a  great  rock  in  a  weary 
land.”  Jesus  Christ  is  here  set  forth  in  all  the 
richness  of  his  grace.  He  is  here  offered,  freely 
offered  to  dying  sinners.  Embrace  him  as  your 
only  Saviour ;  while  passing  through  this  “  weary 
land,”  through  this  wilderness  world,  lean  on 
Him,  who  will  guide  you  safely  to  glory.  In 
Him,  you  will  experience  that  joy  which  the 
world  cannot  impart,  and  that  peace  of  God, 
which  passeth  all  understanding.  By  that  bless¬ 
ed  side  which  was  once  pierced  with  the  soldier’s 
spear,  you  will  enjoy  the  favors  and  smiles  of  a 
reconciled  God. 

From  those  deep  wounds  that  were  inflicted 
on  the  Saviour’s  immortal  form,  fountains  of 
joy,  as  inexhaustible  as  the  ocean  of  divine  per¬ 
fection  itself,  will  flow  in  the  richest  streams  of 
grace,  to  refresh,  invigorate  and  animate  your 
soul.  0  I  there  is  something  about  Calvary  so 
mysterious  in  its  nature — so  glorious  in  its  re¬ 
sults.  Time  can  never  disclose  nor  vast  eternity 
unravel  those  things  connected  with  that  affect¬ 
ing  scene,  displayed  when  the  Son  of  God  bowed 
his  head  and  exclaimed  u  It  is  finished.” 

This  subject  embraces  this  mystery,  and  con 
sequently  will  be  the  theme  of  the  redeemed  to 
all  eternity  It  comprehends  the  glorious,  plan 
of  redemption  and  all  the  wonders  of  Christ’s 
redeeming  love.  It  does  not  lead  the  sinner  to 

i _ _ _ _ _ 


_ 


184  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


Sinai,  and  there  leave  him  amid  the  dreadful 
thunder  and  lightning  and  flame  and  smoke : 
no,  it  gently  draws  him  to  Calvary,  that  life- 
giving  mount,  where  the  unbounded  love  of 
God  for  sinners  once  glowed  in  the  bosom  of  his 
Son,  with  more  than  human  splendor ;  where  it 
beamed  forth  in  all  the  effulgence  of  the  divin¬ 
ity,  when  the  holy  Jesus  hung  a  suffering, 
bleeding,  victim  on  the  ignominous  cross.  How 
glorious  is  such  a  subject !  It  is  full  of  Christ 
and  salvation  through  him.  It  vividly  displays 
the  matchless  mercy,  and  boundless  love  of 
God  to  a  lost  world. 

“  Oli !  how  matchless  is  this  mercy  I 
How  unbounded  is  this  love  I 
’Tis  our  joy  on  earth  to  feel  it; 

’Tis  the  theme  of  saints  above.” 


Let  the  knowledge  of  Christ  and  him  cru¬ 
cified  dwell  in  you  richly.  Endeavor  to  know 
more  and  more  about  the  person  of  your  glo¬ 
rious  Redeemer ;  about  that  wonderful  decease 
which  he  accomplished  at  Jerusalem,  and  that 
all-sufficient  atonement  which  he  effected  on 
Calvary.  Christ  and  him  crucified  is  the  sweet¬ 
est,  noblest  theme  on  which  a  soul  ever  dwelt. 
Holy  angels  on  their  lofty  thrones  in  glory,  de¬ 
sire  to  stoop  from  the  heights  of  celestial  bliss, 
and  look  into  this  wonderfu  abyss  of  love  and 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  185 


mercy  to  fallen  man — tlie  gift  of  a  Saviour — a 
glorious  salvation.  Well  may  we,  who  are  the 
objects  of  such  unprecedented  love,  raise  our 
grateful  hearts  to  the  God  of  heaven,  and  shout 
forth  in  language  like  this :  Glory  to  God  in 
the  highest  for  such  peace  and  good-will  toward 
men. 

Christian,  may  Christ  and  him  crucified  ever 
be  your  delightful  theme  on  earth,  till  mortality 
is  swallowed  up  of  life,  till  you  are  admitted 
into  the  glorious  presence  of  Immanuel,  and  see 
him  face  to  face,  and  begin  your  unceasing  song, 
unto  him  that  loved  you  and  washed  you  from 
your  sins  in  his  own  blood.  Can  you  not  now 
say  with  the  Apostle,  “  Yea  doubtless,  and  I 
count  all  things  but  loss  for  the  excellency  of 
the  knowledge  of  Christ  Jesus  my  Lord  and 
0  that  every  reader  could  join  with  us  in  the 
following  beautiful,  glowing  lines  of  the  poet, 

-  “  Thou  my  all  1 

My  theme !  my  inspiration!  and  my  crown  ! 

My  soul’s  ambition,  pleasure,  wealth  ;  my  world) 

My  light  in  darkness  1  and  my  life  in  death  I 
My  boast  through  time  !  bliss  through  eternity ! 
Eternity,  too  short  to  speak  thy  praise, 

Or  fathom  thy  profound  of  love  to  man  1 
To  man  of  m?n  the  meanest,  even  to  me 
My  sacrifice  my  God!” — Young. 

*  ?hL  iii.  8. 

16* 


186  CHRIST,  AND  HI  M  CRUCIFIED. 


/ 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE  PERSON  OF  CHRIST. 

“Thou  art  fairer  than  the  children  of  men.” — Psalm  xlv.  2. 

“  My  meditation  of  him  shall  be  sweet.” — Psalm  civ.  34. 

Before  we  dwell  on  the  melting  story  of 
Calvary,  or  exhibit  to  you  a  crucified  Saviour, 
or  afford  a  display  of  bis  glorious  atonement,  let 
us  advert  to  the  divine  person  and  character  of 
our  Immanuel.  Let  us  admire  his  glorious  per¬ 
fections.  A  saving  knowledge  of  Christ  will 
constitute  the  foundation  of  our  immortal  joys ; 
will  lead  us  to  eternal  life,  and  the  highest  state 
of  felicity  in  heaven  above.  “And  this  is  life 
eternal,  -that  they  might  know  thee,  the  only 
true  God,  and  Jesus  Christ  whom  thou  hast 
sent.”*  0,  that  we  might  obtain  a  glimpse  of 
the  matchless  person  of  Christ!  0,  that  we 
might  behold  “  the  Kang,  in  his  beauty.”  Surely 
then  would  our  sight  and  eyes  be  turned  away 
from  viewing  vanity.  If  there  is  an  object  in 
the  universe  that  should  attract  our  attention, 
excite  our  admiration,  warm  our  affections,  and 


*  John  xvii.  3. 


/ 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  18? 


demand  our  love ;  surely  it  is  the  glorious  Sav¬ 
iour,  the  blessed  Son  of  God,  who  is  the  bright¬ 
ness  of  his  Father’s  glory,  and  the  express  image 
of  his  person.  Christ  is  the  most  glorious  being 
in  the  universe  of  God.  Blessed  Jesus  1  reveal 
thyself  unto  us  in  all  thy  transcendent  loveli¬ 
ness,  in  all  thy  surpassing  beauty.  “  Thou  art 
fairer  than  the  children  of  men “  the  chiefest 
among  ten  thousand “yea,  thou  art  altogether 
lovely “  thou  art  the  blooming  rose  of  Sharon, 
and  the  lily  of  the  valleys.”  Manifest  thyself 
unto  us  as  thou  dost  not  unto  the  world.  Glad¬ 
den  our  guilty  souls  with  the  beams  of  thy  . 
mercy  and  grace.  Unfurl  the  banner  of  thy 
wondrous  love  over  us ;  encircle  us  in  the  arms 
of  thy  compassion,  and  lift  upon  us  the  light  of 
thy  gracious  countenance. 

We  can  know  but  little,  comparatively,  of  the 
excellence  and  glory  of  Christ’s  person,  until  we 
see  him  on  his  heavenly  throne,  in  all  his  un¬ 
veiled  glory.  Then  shall  we  see  him  as  he  is, 
face  to  face,  and  forever  behold  his  matchless 
beauty.  What  a  glorious  sight  will  that  be,  to 
see  the  Redeemer  shining  in  the  perfection  of 
beauty.  What  a  blessed  privilege,  to  dwell  for 
ever  in  the  presence  of  the  great  King,  to  sur¬ 
round  the  radiant  throne  of  heaven,  and  amid 
the  spleidors  of  the  celestial  Paradise,  to  sound 
through  endless  ages  the  notes  of  seraphic 


188  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


praise,  to  him  that  redeemed  ns  from  eternal 
misery  with  his  own  most  precious  blood ! 

Gentle  reader,  seek  Christ  now;  believe  on 
him ;  view  him  with  the  eye  of  faith,  as  your 
only  Lord  and  Saviour,  and  in  a  little  while 
faith  shall  be  turned  into  sight,  into  heavenly 
vision,  and  you  will  enjoy  the  presence  and 
society  of  your  beloved  Eedeemer  through  a 
glorious  eternity.  Remember,  young  reader, 
that  Christ  has  said  “those  that  seek  me  early 
shall  find  me.”*  May  the  Lord  in  his  mercy 
grant  that  you  and  I  may  find  Him  of  whom 
Moses  and  the  prophets  did  write,  Jesus,  the  Son 
of  God.  This  will  prove  our  everlasting  com¬ 
fort.  Through  time  and  through  eternity,  Christ 
will  be  our  unchanging  friend. 

To  the  believer,  Christ  is  all  in  all.  Amid  all 
the  vacillating  scenes  and  heart-rending  sorrows 
of  mortality,  he  is  ever  with  him,  manifesting 
his  grace  and  sustaining  him  in  every  trial ;  and 
in  the  last  hour  of  mortal  existence,  when  the 
believer  is  standing  on  the  verge  of  the  grave, 
Christ  is  by  him,  cheering  his  departing  soul 
with  the  hope  of  eternal  glory,  and  guiding  him 
safely  through  the  swellings  of  Jordan  to  the 
promised  land,  the  everlasting  happy  home  cf 
God’s  children.  In  the  hour  of  death,  the  be- 


*  Pro*  viii.  17. 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  189 


liever  is  enabled  to  exclaim,  “  Oh  !  I  would  not 
give  up  Christ  for  all  the  world.  Whom  have  I 
in  heaven  but  thee?  and  there  is  none  upon 
earth  that  I  desire  besides  thee.” 

Now,  is  Christ  precious  to  you  ?  Do  you  de¬ 
sire  to  know  more  and  more  about  him  ?  Is  he 
formed  in  you,  the  hope  of  glory?  If  so,  we 
trust  you  will  follow  us  with  a  joyful  heart  in 
our  presentation  of  his  character  and  excellence 
as  they  are  vividly  portrayed  in  the  Holy  Scrip¬ 
tures.  That  blessed  Eedeemer  who  once  hung 
a  bleeding  victim  on  Calvary  ;  who  endured  the 
death  of  the  cross  there,  is  the  eternal  Son  of 
God,  equal  with  the  Father  in  power  and  glory, 
possessing  all  the  attributes  of  Deity. 

The  Scriptures  plainly  assert  that  Christ  is 
God,  the  Creator  of  the  universe.  “  In  the  be¬ 
ginning  was  the  Word,  and  the  Word  was  with 
God,  and  the  Word  was  God.  Ail  things  were 
made  by  him ;  and  without  him  was  not  any 
thing  made  that  was  made.”'*  Christ  bears  the 
very  image  of  the  everlasting  Father.  Yes,  the 
eternal  Son  of  God,  our  blessed  Saviour,  is  the 
brightness  of  his  Father’s  glory,  and  the  express 
image  of  his  person.  “  Who,  being  the  bright¬ 
ness  of  his  glory,  and  the  express  image  of  his 
person,  and  upholding  all  things  by  the  word 


*  Jofcn  i.  1,  3. 


190  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


of  liis  power,  when  he  had  by  himself  purged 
our  sins,  sat  down  on  the  right  hand  of  the 
Majesty  on  high.”* 

Again,  it  is  declared  of  Christ  that  he  “is  the 
image  of  the  invisible  God,  the  first-born  of 
ever}?-  creature :  for  by  him  were  all  things  cre¬ 
ated  that  are  in  heaven,  and  that  are  in  earth, 
visible  and  invisible,  whether  they  be  thrones, 
or  dominions,  or  principalities,  or  powers;  all 
things  were  created  by  him,  and  for  him ;  and 
he  is  before  all  things,  and  by  him  all  things 
consist.  And  he  is  the  head  of  the  body,  the 
Church:  who  is  the  beginning,  the  first-born 
from  the  dead ;  that  in  all  things  he  might  have 
the  pre-eminence.  For  it  pleased  the  Father, 
that  in  him  should  all  fulness  dwell.”f  What  a 
fulness  of  grace  and  glory  dwells  in  the  blessed 
Jesus ! 

And  what  divine  power  has  he  displayed  in 
the  works  of  creation  I  By  his  word,  were  all 
things  made.  He  spake  and  it  was  done ;  he 
commanded,  and  it  stood  fast.  He  only  gave 
the  command,  and  this  world,  with  all  its  inhab 
itants,  started  into  being.  Such  is  his  illimitable 
power,  that  he  has  created  and  sustained  for  ages, 
millions  of  fixed  and  moving  worlds  of  light  and 
glory.  With  unerring  precision,  he  guides  the 


*  He),  i  S. 


f  Col.  i.  15,  19. 


\ 

CHRIST,  AND  HIM  JRtJCIFIED,  191 


planets  in  their  revolutions,  and  directs  the 
comets  in  their  flaming  march.  With  an  arm 
of  omnipotence,  he  has  bespangled  the  midnight 
sky  with  its  glowing  luminaries ;  and  that  same 
mysterious  personage  who  endured  the  ignomin¬ 
ious  death  of  Calvarv,  has  created  this  beauti- 
ful,  green  earth  on  which  we  tread ;  formed  the 
moon  in  her  silvery  brightness,  and  kindled  up 
the  sun  in  all  his  glory.  “  By  the  word  of  the 
Lord,  were  the  heavens  made  ;  and  all  the  host 
of  them  by  the  breath  of  his  mouth.”*  He  has 
u  measured  the  waters  in  the  hollow  of  his  hand, 
and  meted  out  heaven  with  a  span,  and  compre¬ 
hended  the  dust  of  the  earth  in  a  measure,  and 
weighed  the  mountains  in  scales,  and  the  hills 
in  a  balance.” 

Christ  is  the  second  person  in  the  glorious 
Trinity,  and  is  of  equal  power  with  God  the 
Father,  and  God  the  Spirit.  Yea  he  11  thought 
it  not  robbery  to  be  equal  with  God,”  and  as  the 
Creator  of  the  universe,  he  reigns,  the  omnipo¬ 
tent,  Lord  of  heaven  and  earth.  All  power  is 
intrusted  to  him,  and  all  worlds  are  the  offspring 
of  his  almighty  fiat,  the  product  of  his  creative 
skill.  It  is  the  same  blessed  Saviour  who  bled 
and  died  on  earth  u  that  spreadeth  out  the  hea¬ 
vens,  and  treadeth  upon  the  waves  of  the  sea ; 


Psalms  xxxiii.  6. 


192  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


that  maketh  Arcturus,  Orion,  and  Pleiades,  and 
the  chambers  of  the  south.” 

Christian,  go  out  and  gaze  upon  the  clear, 
blue  sky,  when. the  solemn  stillness  of  night  per¬ 
vades  a  slumbering  world  ;  survey  the  countless 
glories  of  the  starry  firmament ;  view  the  num¬ 
berless  suns  that  shine  above  you ;  think  of  the 
innumerable  planets  that  revolve  around  these 
suns  ;  contemplate  the  mighty  S}Tstems  of  worlds 
that  move  in  celestial  harmony  and  majesty 
through  boundless  space.  Your  Saviour  made 
them  all.  Then  think  of  his  power,  wisdom, 
and  goodness  as  manifested  in  all  his  works. 
Think  of  his  original  glory  and  blessedness ;  but 
above  all,  think  of  his  amazing  condescension 
and  infinite  love  Tor  you.  He  who  hung  out 
these  brilliant  orbs,  once  stooped  from  his  celes¬ 
tial  throne  of  glory  to  assume  human  nature, 
and  bleed  and  die  for  you :  yes,  to  die  the  death 
of  the  cross !  He  “  made  himself  of  no  reputa¬ 
tion,  and  took  upon  him  the  form  of  a  servant, 
and  was  made  in  the  likeness  of  men  ;  and  being 
found  in  fashion  as  a  man,  he  humbled  himself, 
and  became  obedient  unto  death,  even  the  death 
of  the  cross  I”*  Wonderful  condescension. 
Amazing  love  !  Was  there  ever  love  like  this, 
that  led  Christ  to  Calvary,  there  to  lay  down  his 


*  Phil.  x.  1.  s. 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRDCIFIED.  193 


precious  life  for  sinners!  No,  the  annals  of 
time  do  not  furnish  a  parallel ;  neither  is  it  to 
be  found  in  the  records  of  eternity.  Christ,  the 
only  begotten  Son  of  God,  lay  in  the  bosom  of 
the  Father  from  all  eternity;  possessing  untold 
glory  with  him.  But  out  of  infinite  compassion 
and  boundless  love  for  his  children,  his  redeem¬ 
ed,  he  consented,  for  a  time,  to  veil  that  glory 
in  humanity,  and  bleed  upon  the  accursed  tree. 
He  became  partaker  of  flesh  and  blood.  “For¬ 
asmuch  then  as  the  children  are  partakers  of 
flesh  and  blood,  he  also  himself  likewise  took 
part  of  the  same.”*  He  gave  his  blessed  body 
to  be  broken,  and  his  precious  blood  to  be  shed 
for  sinners.  For  you,  dear  believer,  did  the 
Lord  of  glory  suffer.  That  he  might  redeem 
you  from  the  curse  of  a  broken  law,  and  thus 
rescue  you  from  eternal  misery  in  the  regions  of 
darkness  and  despair,  he  assumed  your  nature. 
“  For  verily  he  took  not  on  him  the  nature  cf 
angels ;  but  he  took  on  him  the  seed  of  Abra¬ 
ham.  Wherefore  in  all  things  it  behooved  him 
to  be  made  like  unto  his  brethren,  that  he  might 
be  a  merciful  and  faithful  high  priest  in  things 
pertaining  to  God,  to  make  reconciliation  for 
the  sins  of  the  peoplef’f  In  Christ,  the  divine 
and  numan  natures  are  admirably  united  in  one 


•  Heb  L  14 
IT 


f  Heb.  il  16. 


194  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


glorious  person.  He  is  truly  God  and  truly  man 
He  is  our  Creator,  our  Preserver,  our  bountiful 
Benefactor ;  and  yet  be  is  bone  of  our  bone  and 
flesh  of  our  flesh.  He  is  our  near  kinsman; 
our  elder  brother ;  our  gracious  friend,  who  lov* 
eth  at  all  times ;  our  glorious  Redeemer. 

In  our  nature,  Christ  suffered  and  died  for 
us ;  in  our  nature  he  rose  triumphant  from  the 
grave;  and  he  now  wears  it  before  the  throne 
of  God.  O  how  highly  has  Christ  exalted  hu* 
man  nature !  He  has  elevated  it  to  the  right 
hand  of  God,  to  the  greatest  honors  and  the 
brightest  state  of  felicity  in  the  heaven  of  heavens. 
In  glory  the  redeemed  shall  be  made  like  Christ ; 
their  bodies  shall  shine  like  his  glorious  body. 

Says  an  Apostle,  “  we  know  that  when  he 
shall  appear,  we  shall  be  like  him  ;  for  we  shall 
see  him  as  he  is.”*  At  his  glorious  appearing 
on  the  resurrection  morning,  Christ  shall  call 
forth  our  sleeping  dust  and  “  change  our  vile 
body,  that  it  may  be  fashioned  like  unto  his 
glorious  body,  according  to  the  working  whereby 
lie  is  able  even  to  subdue  all  things  unto  him 
self.”f  Then  shall  we  be  with  him,  and  be  en 
tirely  like  him  to  all  eternity.  Then  shall  we 
see  him  face  to  face  in  his  heavenly  kingdom, 
yes.  we  shall  look  into  the  very  face  of  the 


1  John  iii  2 


f  Phil.  iii.  21. 


CHRIST  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  195 


blessed  Jesus,  and  behold  in  tliat  countenance 
the  expressions  of  tenderest  love  for  us,  his  re- 
leemed.  Then  shall  we  see  what  a  lovely  Sav¬ 
iour  we  have ;  and  through  eternal  ages  we  shall 
)e  contemplating  the  glorious  person  of  our 
Redeemer.  Then  shall  we  discern  those  excel¬ 
lencies  in  the  person  of  Christ,  which  are  now 
obscured  by  the  veil  of  mortality.  “Now  we 
see  through  a  glass  darkly ;  but  then  face  to 
face :  now  I  know  in  part ;  but  then  shall  I 
know  even  as  also  I  am  known.”*  Precious 
Saviour !  Thy  name  is  as  ointment  poured 
forth.  Thou  art  all  our  salvation  and  desire. 
We  love  thee,  because  thou  hast  first  loved 
us.  Whom  have  we  in  heaven  but  thee,  and 
there  is  none  upon  earth  that  we  desire  besides 
thee.  Thou  art  our  way  to  the  Father,  the  way 
in  which  the  redeemed  journey  through  a  wil¬ 
derness  world  to  the  heavenly  Canaan.  Thou 
art  the  blessed  day-star  which  illuminates  our 
path  through  a  bewildering  world,  and  guides 
us  safely  over  life’s  tempestuous  ocean  into  the 
harbor  of  eternal  glory. 

Blessed  Redeemer,  may  I  love  and  prize  thee 
more  and  more  on  earth,  till,  prepared  for  those 
happy  mansions  above,  I  bid  adieu  to  this  sin¬ 
ful,  sorrowful  world,  enter  into  the  joy  of  my 


*  1  3ar.  xiii.  12. 


196  CHRIS  r ,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


Lord,  and  raise  a  never-ending  song  of  praiso 
in  glory  to  thee  my  Almighty  Saviour. 


“Almighty  Jesus,  make  me  thine  ; 

Oh  I  wash  me  in  thy  blood  divine, 
Preserve  my  soul  from  every  sin, 
And  reign  the  sov’reign  Lord  within. 

“  Oh  !  for  a  heart  of  faith  and  love, 

To  taste  the  Saviour’s  richest  grace, 
To  emulate  the  choirs  above, 

Who  ever  see  his  blissful  face. 


“ Blest  spirit!  beautify  my  soul 
With  humble  joy  and  holy  fear; 

Thy  pow'r  can  make  the  wounded  whole, 
I  And  bring  each  gospel  blessing  near. 

“  Descend  and  dwell  within  my  heart ; 

The  Saviour’s  image  let  us  bear ; 

Then  bid  me  hence  with  joy  depart, 

And  angels’  bliss  forever  share.” 


What  a  precious  Saviour  we  have  to  choose 
as  ours.  One  who  is  so  amiable  and  excellent 
in  his  person.  One  who  is  infinitely  able  to  save 
us.  One  who  delights  in  our  salvation,  and  re¬ 
joices  over  us  to  do  us  good.  Concerning  his 
people,  Christ  says,  11 1  will  make  an  everlasting 
covenant  with  them,  that  I  will  not  turn  away 
from  them  to  do  them  good  *  but  I  will  put  my 


CHRIST,  ANI>  HIM  CRUCIIIED.  i97 


fear  in  their  hearts,  that  they  shall  net  depart 
from  ine.  Yea,  I  will  rejoice  over  them  to  do 
them  good.”*  What  mercies  flow  from  the 
Saviour  of  sinners!  When  we  look  at  what 
our  Redeemer  has  accomplished  for  us,  well 
may  we,  with  wonder  and  astonishment,  ex¬ 
claim,  “  Oh  how  great  is  thy  goodness,  which 
thou  hast  laid  up  for  them  that  fear  thee ;  which 
thou  hast  wrought  for  them  that  trust  in  thee;  be¬ 
fore  the  sons  of  men.”  How  deeply  impressed 
with  the  divine  goodness  was  the  prophet,  when, 
borne  along  and  overwhelmed  with  the  sublim¬ 
ity  of  his  rapturous  theme,  he  breaks  forth  into 
this  lofty  song : 

“  Sing,  0  daughter  of  Zion  ;  shout,  0  Israel ; 
be  glad  and  rejoice  with  all  the  heart,  0  daugh 
ter  of  Jerusalem.  The  Lord  thy  God  in  the 
midst  of  thee  is  mighty ;  he  will  save,  he  will 
rejoice  over  thee  with  joy ;  he  will  rest  in  his 
love  ;  he  will  rejoice  over  thee  with  singing.”f 
There  is  none  like  Christ.  He  spake  as  never 
man  spake.  When  he  sojourned  in  this  vale  of 
tears,  he  went  about  doing  good ;  words  of  com¬ 
passion  flowed  from  his  gracious  lips ;  he  com¬ 
forted  the  afflicted,  healed  the  diseased,  and 
raised  .the  dead.  At  his  omnipotent  voice,  “  the 
eyes  of  the  blind  were  opened,  and  the  ears  of 

.  ,  V 

*  Jer  xxxii.  40,  41. 

17  4 


f  Zeph.  iii.  14, 


198  CHRIST,  AND  i  IM  CRUCIFIED. 


the  deaf  unstopped;  the  lame  man  eaped  as  a 
hart,  and  the  tongue  of  the  dumb  sung.” 

How  compassionate  was  the  blessed  Jesus,  to 
the  sons  and  daughters  of  affliction,  to  the  perish¬ 
ing  multitudes  around  him,  when  he  trod  this 
earth,  clothed  with  the  garb  of  humanity ;  and 
now  that  he  is  in  heaven,  invested  with  all  his 
original  glory,  he  has  the  same  eye  of  pity,  and 
the  same  heart  of  love  for  dying  sinners  on 
earth.  Though  he  reigns  in  glory,  yet  he  now 
says,  “  To  this  man  will  I  look,  even  to  him  that 
is  poor  and  of  a  contrite  spirit,  and  trembleth  at 
my  word.”  One  compassionate  look  from  Christ, 
which  draws  out  the  soul  in  love  after  him,  and 
kindles  up  the  affections  in  holy  desires  after 
sweet  communion  with  him,  is  worth  more  than 
all  the  treasures  of  the  world.  A  saving  interest 
in  the  glorious  Redeemer,  will  put  us  into  the 
possession  and  enjoyment  of  those  ‘•unsearch¬ 
able  riches”  which  will  endure  when  this  bewil¬ 
dering  world,  with  all  its  fascinations,  with  all 
its  grandeur,  shall  have  passed  away. 

Does  your  heart  pant  after  these  durable 
riches?  Then  look  up  to  Christ,  admire  him? 
contemplate  his  adorable,  mysterious  person. 
Open  the  blessed  volume  of  inspiration  and  read 
his  glorious  character.  “Search  the  scriptures,” 
says  the  Saviour,  “for  in  them  ye  think  ye  have 
eternal  life-  and  they  are  they  which  testify  of 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  199 


me.”  Trace  him  in  his  wonderful  transition 
from  heaven  to  earth.  He  veils  his  glorv  in 
humanity.  He  assumes  human  nature,  and 
becomes  an  infant  of  days,  a  man  of  sorrow 
through  life ;  a  bleeding  victim  on  Calvary. 
For  you,  sinner,  he  yields  to  the  stroke  of  death ; 
and  is  laid  in  a  tomb.  But  see  him  bursting 
the  fetters  of  the  grave,  and  ascending  to  glory. 
Thither  follow  him.  On  the  wings  of  faith  soar 
to  the  heavenly  Canaan.  Your  divine  Bedeemer 
is  there,  radiant  in  glory.  Before  him,  all  the 
redeemed  bow  in  token  of  humble  adoration 
and  praise.  While  they  gaze  upon  his  won¬ 
drous  bright  form,  one  song,  “  worthy  is  the 
Lamb  that  was  slain,”  employs  them  all.  In 
heaven,  all  are  admiring  and  praising  the  u  Lamb 
that  stands  on  Mount  Zion.”  There,  every  re¬ 
deemed  sinner  desires  to  know  more  and  more 
about  the  adorable  Saviour.  0  believer,  the 
more  you  study  Christ  the  more  will  you  ad¬ 
mire  and  praise  him.  Wonderful  in  his  nature, 
glorious  in  his  person,  and  dear  in  those  rela¬ 
tions  in  which  he  stands  tc  you,  he  demands 
your  whole  heart,  your  affections,  all  your  grate¬ 
ful  thoughts.  While  you  walk  by  faith  through 
a  wilderness  world,  you  should  constantly  keep 
Christ  in  your  view — in  your  thoughts — in  youi 
mind ;  till  in  the  full  blaze  of  heaven’s  glory, 
you  behold  him,  in  the  midst  of  the  celestial 


200  CHRIST  Als  D  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


throne,  as  “a  Lamb  that  had  been  slain/'  and 
eternally  admire  his  matchless  person,  and  his 
boundless  grace.  0  blessed  Jesus !  may  the  de¬ 
sire  of  our  soul  now  be  to  thy  name,  and  tc 
the  remembrance  of  thee.  May  we  remember 
thee  upon  beds,  and  meditate  on  thee  in  the 
night-watches.  And  through  all  our  earthly  pil¬ 
grimage  may  we  ever  think  of  thee,  and  of  thy 
great  goodness. 

Christian,  let  your  love  for  an  unseen  Saviour 
increase  more  and  more.  Now  “  whom  hav¬ 
ing  not  seen,  ye  love ;  in  whom,  though  ye  see 
him  not,  yet  believing  ye  rejoice  with  joy  un¬ 
speakable,  and  full  of  glory.”  “Unto  you 
therefore  which  believe,  he  is  precious.”  In  the 
mean  time,  may  your  eye — that  eye  of  faith 
which  views  the  eternal  world,  and  those  glo¬ 
rious  “things  which  are  not  seen,”  ever  be  di¬ 
rected  to  the  bleeding  “Lamb  of  God,”  which 
taketh  away  your  sins ;  which  “  taketh  away 
the  sin  of  the  world !”  Be  always  longing  and 
“  looking  for  that  blessed  hope,  and  the  glorious 
appearing  of  the  great  God,  and  our  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ,  who  gave  himself  for  us,  that  he 
might  redeem  us  from  all  iniquity,  and  purify 
unto  himself  a  peculiar  people,  zealous  of  good 
works.”* 


*  Titus  ii.  13,  14* 


CUBIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  201 


How  sweet  the  name  of  Jesus  sounds, 

In  a  believer’s  ear  1 

It  soothes  his  sorrows,  heals  his  wounds, 
And  drives  away  his  fear. 

It  makes  the  wounded  spirit  whole 
And  calms  the  troubled  breast 
Tis  manna  to  the  hungry  soul, 

And  to  the  weary  rest.1* 


202  CHRIST,  4ND  HIM  CRJCIFIED. 


CHAPTEEI  II. 

TITE  GLORY  OF  CHRIST. 

*  Father  I  will  that  they  also  whom  thou  hast  given  mo, 
be  with  me  where  I  am  ;  that  they  may  behold  my  glory*— 
John,  xvii.  24. 

In  order  that  we  may  see  the  personal  ex¬ 
cellency  of  God’s  beloved  Son,  let  us  contem¬ 
plate  his  glory.  That  amazing  humiliation  and 
painful  death  to  which  Christ  submitted,  for 
sinners,  will  appear  still  more  astonishing,  when 
we  reflect  upon  that  majesty  and  glory  with 
which  he  was  invested  before  time  began  to 
flow.  In  Christ,  we  behold  uncreated  glory. 
No  created  glory  was  ever  like  his.  Christ’s 
glory  shone  from  all  eternity.  Before  the  sun 
beamed  in  the  heavens,  or  the  moon  walked  in 
silvery  brightness ;  before  the  stars  glittered  in 
the  deep  blue  sky,  or  the  earth  sprang  into  ex¬ 
istence  ;  Christ,  the  blessed  Son  of  God,  lay  in 
the  bosom  of  the  everlasting  Father,  enjoying 
equal  glory  with  him,  Tne  glorious  Redeemer 
of  a  lost  woidl  was  set  up  from  everlasting. 
Hear  his  own  leclaration,  “ 1  was  set  up  from 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  203 


everlasting,  from  tlie  beginning,  or  ever  the 
earth  was,”  and  surely  the  glory  cf  the  eternal 
Son  must  be  as  old  as  himself.  Yes,  Christ  has 
always  been,  and  will  ever  continue  to  be  “the 
brightness  of  his  Father’s  glory,  and  the  express 
image  of  his  person.”  When  he  left  the  bosom 
of  his  Father,  and  the  regions  of  bliss,  and 
visited  this  fallen  world  with  the  message  of 
redeeming  love,  he  only  veiled  his  glory  in  hu¬ 
manity.  He  lost  nothing  of  his  original  glory 
by  his  assumption  of  human  nature.  He  was 
as  truly  “  the  brightness  of  his  Fathers  glory” 
when  he  lay  in  the  manger  at  Bethlehem, 
when  he  had  not  where  to  lay  his  head  on 
earth,  or  when  he  hung  a  dying  victim  on  Cal¬ 
vary’s  cross,  as  he  was  before  his  incarnation, 
or  as  he  now  is,  in  his  glorified  state  at  the  right 
hand  of  God.  Though  his  glory  was  veiled 
in  a  human  form,  when  he  tabernacled  in  the 
flesh,  yet  now  and  then  a  beam  of  that  glory 
darted  through  his  human  nature,  proclaiming 
to  all  around  that  he  was  divine.  The  disciples 
beheld  the  glory  of  their  Redeemer.  Says  the 
beloved  John,  “  The  Word  was  made  flesh  and 
dwelt  among  us,  (and  we  beheld  his  glory,  the 
glory  as  of  the  only  begotten  of  the  Father,)  full 
of  grace  and  truth.”* 


*  John  i.  14. 


204  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


Says  another  faithful  follower  of  the  Lord, 
and  an  eye  witness  of  his  majesty,  “  He  received 
from  God  the  Father  honor  and  glory,  when 
there  came  such  a  voice  to  him  from  the  ex¬ 
cellent  glory,  This  is  my  beloved  Son,  in  whom 
I  am  well  pleased.  And  this  voice  winch  came 
from  heaven  we  heard,  when  we  were  with  him 
in  the  holy  mount.”* 

On  mount  Tabor,  Peter,  James  and  John  got 
a  glimpse  of  the  Saviour’s  glory,  which  made 
them  feel  as  if  heaven  had  come  down  upon 
earth.  There  Christ’s  glory  beamed  forth  in 
heavenly  splendor,  “  when  his  face  did  shine  as 
the  sun,  and  his  raiment  was  white  as  the 
light.”f  There  Moses  and  Elias  also  appeared 
in  glory,  and  spake  of  his  decease  which  he 
should  accomplish  at  Jerusalem.”  What  a  glo¬ 
rious,  sacred  spot !  How  nearly  allied  to  heaven ! 
What  is  all  xthe  splendor  of  the  universe,  con¬ 
trasted  with  the  resplendent  scene  of  Tabor! 
How  gloomy !  Contrasted  with  that  dazzling, 
overpowering  brightness  which  there  emanated 
from  the  blessed  Jesus,  the  sun  is  darkness  it¬ 
self.  Never  had  there  been  such  a  vivid  mani¬ 
festation  of  the  glory  of  Christ  on  earth,  as  was 
then  displayed  to  the  astonished  disciples.  Well 
might  Peter  exclaim,  ‘  Lord,  it  is  good  for  ns  to 


*  2  Peter  i  17,  18. 


f  Matt.  xvii.  2 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM'  CRU  01  FI  E  D.  205 


be  here :  if  thou  wilt,  let  us  make  here  three 
tabernacles,  one  for  thee,  and  one  for  Moses, 
and  one  for  Elias.”  Delightful  abode!  To 
dwell  with  Jesus  :  to  be  overshadowed  with  his 
glory ! 

“  If  heaven  be  thus  glorious,  Lord, 

Why  must  I  keep  from  thence  f 
What  folly  is’t  that  makes  me  loth 
To  die,  and  go  from  hence?” 

Hasten  on,  0  joyful  day,  when  I  shall  be  ad¬ 
mitted  into  the  palace  of  the  great  King,  when 
I  shall  see  him  in  his  beauty,  in  his  glory; 
when  I  shall  be  made  “a  pillar  in  the  temple 
of  God,  and  go  no  more  out;”  when  I  shall 
dwell  with  Christ,  yes,  with  that  glorious  Sa¬ 
viour,  whose  blessed  side  was  once  pierced  for 
me. 

Happy,  unspeakably  happy,  will  those  be 
whom  Christ  will  bring  to  behold  his  glory! 
Their  bliss  no  mortal  tongue  can  express. 
They  will  reign  with  Jesus,  and  behold  his 
glory  forever  and  ever.  “  To  him  that  over- 
cometh,”  says  Christ,  “  will  I  grant  to  sit  with 
me  in  my  throne,  even  as  I  also  overcame,  and 
am  set  down  with  my  Father  in  his  throne.” 
It  is  the  will  of  Christ,  that  all  his  people  may 
be  with  him,  that  they  may  behold  his  glory. 
Mark  that  beautiful  prayer  of  his,  in  the  17th 


206  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


— 


_ 


chapter  of  John  :  11  Father,  I  will  that  they  also, 
whom  thou  hast  given  me,  be  with  me  where  I 
am ;  that  they  may  behold  my  glory,  ■which 
thou  hast  given  me.”  For  what  is  it  that 
Christ  prays  so  fervently  here?  It  is,  that 
those  given  him  by  his  Father,  may  not  only 
be  with  him,  but  that  they  may  also  behold  his 
glory.  That  prayer  has  not  ascended  to  heaven 
in  vain.  It  has  been  heard  on  high.  In  heaven, 
all  the  redeemed  around  the  throne  of  God,  are 
now  beholding  the  glory  of  Christ.  All  “  the 
spirits  of  just  men  made  perfect,”  are  admiring 
his  beauty.  This  prayer  will  be  fully  answered, 
when  Christ  shall  bring  forth  the  head-stone  of 
his  living,  glorious  temple  with  shoutings ;  when 
he  shall  exclaim,  “  Behold  I  and  the  children 
which  God  hath  given  me ;”  when  every  mem¬ 
ber  of  his  precious  flock  shall  be  gathered  home 
to  himself;  when  even  the  feeblest  lamb  shall 
be  housed  from  the  storm.  Then  shall  we  all 
be  with  Christ ;  then  shall  we  behold  his  glory ; 
not  veiled  as  it  was  in  his  humiliation,  but  blaz¬ 
ing  forth  in  full,  unclouded  splendor. 

The  glory  of  Christ  will  make  eternity  itself 
one  bright,  unsullied  day  of  bliss.  This  glory 
will  be  manifested  to  the  redeemed ;  they  will 
spend  the  revolving  ages  of  a  blissful  eternity 
in  beholding  it.  It  will  irradiate  the  mansions 
of  bliss ;  it  will  adorn  with  immortal  splendor 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  207 


and  beauty  every  inhabitant  of  those  mansions. 
It  will  decorate  with  blooming  youth  countless 
millions.  It  will  light  up  a  bright  and  glorious 
abode  for  the  redeemed.  It  will  constitute  the 
purest,  noblest,  brightest  heaven.  "What  is 
heaven  but  being  with  Christ,  and  beholding  his 
glory.  This  is  heaven  !  This  is  blessedness ! 
This  is  the  bliss  of  saints !  0  blessed  privilege, 

to  be  with  Christ,  to  behold  his  glory.  And  all 
believers  shall  soon  be  forever  with  him.  What 
a  happy  state  to  be  ever  with  the  Lord,  behold¬ 
ing  his  glory  !  This  made  Paul  long  to  be  dis¬ 
solved,  that  he  might  be  with  Christ.  “  I  am  in  a 
strait  betwixt  two,  having  a  desire  to  depart  and 
to  be  with  Christ,  which  is  far  better.”*  Imme¬ 
diately  after  death,  the  soul  of  the  believer  is 
with  Christ,  beholding  his  glory,  “  absent  from 
the  body,  and  present  with  the  Lord.”  How 
many  have  longed  for  a  sight  of  this  glory  of 
Christ.  How  often  has  it  cheered  the  heart  of 
the  dying  Christian,  and  filled  his  soul  with  the 
hope  of  a  glorious  immortality.  A  few  hours 
before  the  great  Dr.  Owen  breathed  his  last,  a 
friend  informed  him  that  he  had  just  been 
putting  his  work  “  On  the  glory  of  Christ,  to 
press,  to  whom  the  Dr.  responded,  “  I  am  glad 
to  hear  that  that  performance  is  put  to  press 
•  * 

*  Phil.  i.  23. 


208  CHRIST,  4ND  HIM  CRUCIFIED 


then  lifting  up  his  hands,  and  raising  his  eyes 
as  in  a  rapture,  he  exclaimed,  “But  O  "brother 
Payne,  the  long  looked  for  day  is  come  at  last, 
in  which  I  shall  see  that  glory  in  another  man¬ 
ner  than  I  have  ever  done  yet,  or  was  capable 
of  doing  in  this  world.” 

A  great  part  of  heaven’s  happiness,  will  consist 
in  beholding  the  glory  of  Christ ;  yes,  the  glory 
of  Christ  will  fill  heaven  with  unutterable  bliss. 

0  blessed  Jesus,  show  us  thy  glory;  may 
:t  illuminate  our  pathway  through  a  world  of 
larkness ;  may  it  guide  us  to  thee,  the  uncreated 
source  of  life,  light  and  glory.  With  thee  is  the 
fountain  of  life ;  in  tliy  light  shall  we  see  light. 
Wean  our  affections  from  a  world  that  is  so  soon 
to  be  wrapped  in  flames.  Elevate  our  views 
above  the  transient  scenes  of  earth,  its  fading, 
deceitful  joys1  to  the  permanent  and  enrapturing 
bliss  of  heaven.  May  we  be  going  up  through 
this  wilderness  world  leaning  on  thee,  our  Be¬ 
loved.  While  on  earth  may  we  live  to  thy 
glory ;  and  when  done  with  mortal  life,  when 
the  messenger  of  death  is  sent  to  convey  our 
immortal  spirits  home,  may  we  be  safely  con¬ 
ducted  “  through  death’s  dark  vale”  and  Jordan’s 
swelling  stream,  to  the  heights  of  Zion,  the  city 
of  the  great  King,  the  heavenly  Jerusalem,  the 
celestial  Canaan,  where  thou,  blessed  Saviour, 
reignest  in  everlasting  glory. 


t 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  209 


Oh!  that  I  felt  my  soul  upborne 
On  mare  devotion's  "wings, 

Far  above  earth’s  deceitful  joys 
And  sublunary  things. 

>*■ 

“  Where  thou,  blessed  Saviour,  sitt’st  enthroned 
In  everlasting  light; 

The  glory  of  th’  angelic  host, 

The  source  of  their  delight 

‘  There  in  thy  blissful  presence  i*eigns 
Immortal  joy  serene ; 

No  wintry  storms  are  heard  to  roar, 

Nor  desolation  seen. 

“Around  thee  flow  unmixed  delights, 

Like  rivers  deep  and  wide; 

While  from  ocean  of  thy  love, 

Proceeds  an  endless  tide. 

“  Can  such  a  sinful  creature,  Lord, 

Partake  this  wondrous  grace, 

To  dwell  with  thee  in  heavenly  bliss, 

And  view  thy  glorious  face. 

“Ah !  then,  let  sin  and  earth  usurp 
My  wayward  heart  no  more; 

Be  thou,  through  life,  my  all  in  all, 

My  soul’s  unbounded  store,5 

Have  you  obtained  a  glimpse  of  the  glory  cf 
the  Sufferer  of  Calvary  ?  Is  Christ  glorious  in 
your  view,  or  does  lie  appear  ‘  as  a  root  out  of  a 
dry  ground,  having  no  form,  nor  comeliness,  no 
beauty  that  you  should  desire  him  ?”  Is  he,  in 
18* 


210  CE  RIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


your  estimation,  “  the  chiefest  among  ten  thous¬ 
and”  all  lovely,  all  glorious  ;  or  do  you  “  lightly 
esteem  the  rock  of  your  salvation  ?”  Have  vou 
seen  Christ,  in  all  his  glory,  not  with  the  bodily 
eye,  but  with  that  of  faith,  which  scans  the 
heavens  and  views  the  Saviour  there,  as  yours  ? 
Or  have  you  no  faith  in  God’s  dear  Son  ?  Are 
you  still  rejecting  the  free  offer  of  a  crucified 
Saviour ;  still  counting  his  precious  blood  an 
unholy  thing  ?  These  are  solemn  questions  which 
you  are  now  called  upon  to  answer.  If  you 
have  never  viewed  Christ  as  your  glorious 
Saviour,  look  to  him  now  as  such.  Let  faith 
spread  her  wings  towards  him.  Believe  on  his 
glorious  name ;  and  “  say  not  in  thy  heart,  who 
shall  ascend  into  heaven  ?  (that  is  to  bring 
Christ  down  from  above :)  or  who  shall  descend 
into  the  deep?  (that  is,  to  bring  up  Christ  again 
from  the  dead.)  The  word  is  nigh  thee,  even  in 
thy  mouth,  and  in  thy  heart ;  that  is  the  word 
of  faith  which  we  preach.”* 

To  see  Christ  in  the  glory  of  his  person, 
in  the  fulness  of  his  grace  and  as  our  only 
Saviour,  is  the  sight  that  affords  perfect  peace — 
that  peace  of  God  which  passeth  all  understand¬ 
ing.  This  blessed  sight  fills  the  soul  with  joy 
unspeakable  and  full  of  glory  ;  elevates  the  sin- 

*  Rom.  x.  6,  8. 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  211 


ner’s  view  above  sublunary  objects,  to  those 
blissful  mansions  in  the  skies,  and  cheers  the 
believing  soul,  when  standing  on  the  threshold 
of  eternity,  with  the  hope  of  a  glorious  immor¬ 
tality.  When  we  obtain  a  faith’s  view  of  Christ 
and  his  glory,  how  despicable  do  the  unhallowed 
joj^s  and  pleasures  of  a  dying  world  appear? 
Even  now  one  beam  of  the  Saviour’s  glory 
shining  into  our  hearts,  or  the  light  of  his 
countenance  lifted  upon  us,  will  afford  us  more 
joy  than  all  the  glittering  wealth  of  the  world. 
Hear  an  eminent  saint  of  olden  times  exclaim : 
“  Thou  hast  put  gladness  in  my  heart,  more  than 
in  the  time  that  their  corn  and  their  wine  in¬ 
creased.” 

You  who  have  embraced  the  glorious  Saviour 
will  soon  be  made  a  partaker  of  his  glory.  “  The 
glory  which  thou  gavest  me,”  says  Christ,  “1 
have  given  them.”  O  wonderful !  wonderful ! 
not  only  to  behold  that  glory,  but  to  receive  it 
ourselves  !  “  The  Lord  will  give  glory.”  What 
shall  we  render  to  Him  for  all  his  gifts  ?  ‘  Bless 

the  Lord  0  my  soul ;  and  all  that  is  within  me. 
bless  his  holy  name.”  Every  step  you  take  on 
earth  will  be  a  step  heavenward.  Constantly 
beholding  the  glory  of  Christ  in  the  mirror  of 
the  word  and  ordinances,  you  will  become  more 
and  more  transformed  into  his  likeness.  “We 
alL  '  says  the  apostle,  “  with  open  face  beholding 


r 


212  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


as  in  a  glass  the  glory  of  the  Lord,  are  changed 
into  the  same  image  from  glory  to  glory,  even 
as  by  the  spirit  of  the  Lord.”'*  In  the  face  of 
Christ,  we  behold  the  glory  of  God,  the  bright¬ 
ness  of  the  divinity,  shining  forth  in  uncreated , 
overpowering  lustre.  The  holy  Spirit  illumin¬ 
ates  our  hearts,  and  enables  us  to  discern  this 
effulgence  of  divine  glory. 

“  God,  who  first  commanded  the  light  to  shine 
out  of  darkness,  hath  shined  in  our  hearts,  to 
give  the  light  of  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of 
God  in  the  face  of  Jesus  Christ.”f  ' 

Christ  is  crowned  with  all  the  radiance  of  the 
Deity.  “  In  him  dwells  all  the  fulness  of  the 
godhead  bodily.”  “  In  him  are  hid  all  the 
treasures  of  wisdom  and  knowledge.”  “The 
word  was  made  flesh,”  and  the  glory  of  God 
shall  shine  through  that  flesh  through  all  eter¬ 
nity,  and  make  that  blessed  form  far  more 
glorious  than  the  midday  sun.  How  glorious 
and  exalted  is  Christ  I  Encircled  with  incon¬ 
ceivable  glory  and  seated  on  the  thrcne  of 
*  heaven,  he  sways  with  uncontrollable  power, 
the  sceptre  of.  the  universe.  There  is  a  glory  in 
the  person  of  Christ  that  makes  him  unspeak¬ 
ably  precious  to  believers.  There  is  a  glory  in 
his  perfections.  There  is  a  glory  in  his  works, 


*  2  Csr.  iii.  18 


f  2  Cor.  ix.  6. 


CHRIST,  AND  H  M  CRD  DIFIED.  213 


“All  thy  worlds  shall  praise  thee,  0  Lord,  and 
thy  saints  shall  bless  thee.”  Yes,  Christ  is  not 
only  glorious  in  his  person,  bat  also  in  his 
works.  In  the  works  of  creation  he  is  encircled 
with  divine  glory.  “  The  heavens  declare  the 
glory  of  God ;  and  the  firmament  showeth  his 
handy  work;”  and  in  that  greater  work — the 
redemption  of  a  lost  world, — he  is  crowned  with 
incomprehensible  glory,  and  exalted  to  the  right  *- 
hand  of  God.  “Now,  we  see  Jesus,  who  was 
made  a  little  lower  than  the  angels,  for  the  suf¬ 
fering  of  death  crowned  with  glory  and  honor.”* 

Dear  believer,  this  glorious  Saviour  is  yours 
For  you  he  died  ;  for  you  he  lives ;  for  you  he 
.reigns  the  Lord  of  glory.  With  the  church  you 
may  exclaim,  “  This  is  my  beloved,  and  this  is 
my  friend,  0  daughters  of  Jerusalem;”  “How 
great  is  his  goodness,  and  how  great  is  his 
beauty !” 

How  attractive,  how  desirable,  how  lovely, 
how  glorious  will  Christ  appear  in  heaven  I 
How  will  his  glory  shine  there!  When  we 
awake  amid  the  splendors  of  immortality,  the 
first  object  that  will  excite  our  admiration  will 
be  that  glorious  Redeemer,  whcHoved  us,  and 
gave  himself  for  us;  whose  dying  groans  were 
once  utte  ’ed  oi  Calvary ;  whose  bleeding  heart 

*  H<l6  ii.  9 
13* 


214  CHRIST,  AN1)  TIM  CRUvIFIED. 


tliere  showed  the  breadth,  and  length,  and  depth, 
and  height  of  redeeming  love !  Then  shall  we 
see  with  our  very  eyes,  Him  who  was,  for  us, 
taken,  and  by  wicked  hands  crucified  and 
slain ;”  but,  oh  l  we  shall  see  him  shining  in 
effulgent  glory. 

The  glory  of  the  Man  of  Calvary  will  attract 
the  eyes  of  all  the  redeemed  above,  and  he  will  be 
forever  “  admired  in  nil  them  that  believe.”  The 
perpetual  presence  of  Christ  and  the  continued 
manifestation  of  his  glory  will  always  make 
heaven  one  noontide  of  light  and  blessedness. 
He  will  be  continually  before  us,  and  his  glory 
will  be  constantly  beaming  upon  us ;  and  our 
sight  will  be  so  illuminated  that  we  can  steadilv 
behold  that  glory.  How  we  see  through  a  glass 
darkly  ;  but  then  face  to  face.  Now,  we  could 
not  possibly  bear  the  full  effulgence  of  that 
glory.  It  struck  Paul  to  the  earth  with  blind¬ 
ness  when  Jesus  appeared  to  him,  and  when  he 
“  saw  in  the  way  a  light  from  heaven,  above  the 
brightness  of  the  sun,  shining  round  about  him.” 
And  on  the  manifestation  of  a  glorified  Saviour, 
John  falls  to  the  earth  as  dead.  But  in  heaven 
we  shall  gaze  with  intense  delight  upon  the 
glorious  sun  of  righteousness,  shining  in  his 
meridian  splendor.  Blessed  be  God !  that  sun 
once  rose  on  our  benighted  world.  That  promise 
has  been  fu" filled,  “Unto  you  that  fear  my  name, 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  215 


■ - ( - - 

shall  the  sun  of  righteousness  arise  with  healing 
in  his  wings.”*  That  “  true  light,  which  lighteth 
every  man  that  cometh  into  the  world”  pointing 
us  to  heaven,  the  region  of  eternal  glory,  once 
shone  on  earth.  That  light  will  eternally  shine 
in  the  upper  world  in  the  celestial  mansions 
There  Christ  will  always  manifest  himself  to  hit 
people,  in  all  his  glory.  There  they  will  noi 
have  to  cry  with  Moses,  “I  beseech  thee,  show 
me  thy  glory.”  All  shall  see  it.  Every  saint 
there  shall  be  gazing  forever  upon  the  uncreated 
glory  of  Immanuel.  0  blessed  sight ! 

Lord,  prepare  each  of  us  for  beholding  this 
glory.  Unite  our  hearts  to  thee,  by  faith.  May 
we  be  growing  in  grace  and  in  the  knowledge- 
of  thee — our  Lord  and  Saviour.  Dp  thou, 
Almighty  Saviour,  preserve  us  from  the  snares 
and  temptations  of  a  World  lying  in  wickedness, 
and  finally  present  us  faultless  before  the  pres¬ 
ence  of  thy  glory  with  exceeding  joy. 

In  his  sublime  vision  of  the  glory  of  Christ, 

Isaiah  thus  speaks,  “In  the  year  that  king  Uz- 

/ 

ziah  died,  I  saw  also  the  Lord  sitting  upon  a 
throne,  high  and  lifted  up,  and  his  train  filled 
the  temple.  Above  it  stood  the  seraphims; 
each  one  had  six  wings ;  with  twain  he  covered 
Ills  face,  and  with  twain  he  covered  his  feet,  and 


*  Mslt.  iv.  2. 


216  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


with  twain  lie  did  fly.  And  one  cried  unto  an¬ 
other,  and  said,  Holy,  holy,  holy,  is  the  Lord  of 
hosts;  the  whole  earth  is  full  of  his  glory.”* 
That  this  was  the  glory  of  Christ,  which  Isaiah 
saw,  John,  in  the  12th  chapter  of  his  gospel, 
asserts,  “  These  things  said  Esaias,  when  he  saw 
his  glory,  and  spake  of  him.”  On  the  lonely 
isle  of  Patmos,  the  beloved  disciple  had  a  glor¬ 
ious  revelation  of  the  Son  of  God.  Heaven 
opened  and  poured  forth  its  glories  upon'  him. 
He  was  fanned  with  its  breezes.  He  stood  be¬ 
wildered  ana  amazed  amid  its  grand  pageantry. 
But  one  form  more  glorious  than  all  other  ob¬ 
jects,  filled  him  with  profound  awe  and  con¬ 
sternation.  It  was  the  Lord  Jesus.  His  count¬ 
enance  shone  like  the  sun  in  his  midday  splendor. 
Glory  beamed  from  every  part  of  that  blessed 
form,  diffusing  a  flood  of  light  on  all  around, 
and  blazing  far,  far  away  into  eternity.  It  was 
the  dazzling  form  of  the  Lamb  of  God,  in  more 
than  earthly  transfiguration  that  appeared  to  the 
bewildered  disciple.  The  description  which  he 
furnishes  of  this  glorified  personage  is  this,  “I 
saw  seven  golden  candlesticks ;  and  in  the  midst 
of  the  seven  candlesticks  one  like  unto  the  Son 
of  Man,  clothed  with  a  garment  down  to  the 
toot,  and  girt  about  the  paps  with  a  golden 


*  Is.  vi.  i,  a. 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  217 


girdle.  His  head  and  his  hairs  were  white  like 
wool,  as  white  as  snow ;  and  his  eyes  were  as  a 
flame  of  fire ;  and  his  feet  like  unto  fine  brass, 
as  if  they  burned  in  a  furnace,  and  his  voice  as 
the  sound  of  many  waters.  And  he  had  in  his 
right  hand  seven  stars;  and  out  of  his  mouth 
went  a  sharp  two-edged  sword ;  and  his  count¬ 
enance  was  as  the  sun  shineth  in  his  strength.”* 
This  is  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  the  same  Jesus  on 
whose  bosom  the  beloved  disciple  had  so  often 
leaned.  How  glorious  does  he  appear  now? 
So  glorious,  that  John  falls  at  his  feet  as  dead. 
This  is  the  same  Jesus  whom  the  dying  Stephen 
saw  standing  on  the  right  hand  of  God.  When 
his  cruel  persecutors  were  about  to  imbrue  their 
hands  in  the  blood  of  this  holy  servant  of  God, 
he  being  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  looked  up 
steadfastly  into  heaven,  and  saw  the  glory  of 
God,  and  Jesus  standing  on  the  right  hand  of 
God. 

This,  Christian,  is  the  same  Jesus  whose  glory 
you  shall  behold  in  heaven;  whom  you  will 
love  and  praise  and  adore  with  unceasing  de¬ 
light  and  seraphic  vigor,  through  eternity’s  roll¬ 
ing  ages.  Love  and  admire  him  now.  Cleave 
closely  to  him,  and  you  will  soon  see  his  glory. 
You  witt,  soon  be  with  Christ.  0  happy  thought ! 

•  Rev  i  12,  16. 

19 


218  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


Soon,  very  soon,  shall  the  visions  of  earth  vanish, 
and  the  darkness  of  mortality  disappear  before 
the  rising  glories  of  Immanuel’s  kingdom.  The 
time  is  short ;  the  period  is  just  at  hand,  .when 
we  shall,  with  transporting  joy,  behold  the  dawn¬ 
ing  of  that  day  which  will  never  end,  and  the 
rising  of  that  sun  which  will  never  set.  Then 
“  Thine  eyes  shall  see  the  King  in  his  beauty : 
they  shall  behold  the  land  that  is  very  far  off.” 
Raised  in  glory,  and  caught  up  from  the  flames 
of  a  burning,  crumbling  world,  to  meet  the  Lord 
in  the  air,  “when  he  shall  come  to  be  glorified 
in  his  saints,  and  to  be  admired  in  all  them  that 
believe we  shall,  with  him,  soar  to  a  brighter 
world  above,  —  our  everlasting  happy  home, 
where  no  sin  ever  defiles,  where  no  tears  ever 
flow,  and  where  no  death  is  ever  feared.  Enter¬ 
ing  into  the  golden  city  and  its  many  mansions, 
we  shall  sit  down  with  Abraham,  Isaac  and 
Jacob, — with  Moses  and  Elias, — with  prophets 
and  apostles,  in  the  kingdom  of  God.  Standing, 
not  on  Mount  Tabor  below,  but  on  Mount  Zion 
above  ;  not  with  Moses  and  Elias  alone,  but  with 
“  the  general  assembly  and  church  of  the  first¬ 
born,  which  are  written  in  heaven ;  ”  we  shall 
ever  behold,  contemplate  and  admire  the  glory 
of  Him  who  is  light  of  heaven,  the  brightness  of 
God’s  glory.  How  gloriously  will  that  celestial 
city,  the  heme  of  the  redeemed,  be  illuminated 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  219 


with  the  presence  of  Immanuel!  Theie,  no 
natural  light  is  required.  “The  city  had  no 
need  of  the  sun,  neither  of  the  moon  to  shine  on 
it ;  for  the  glory  of  God  did  lighten  it,  and  the 
Lamb  is  the  light  thereof.”*  There,  all  will  be 
irradiated  by  the  glory  of  God  and  the  Lamb. 
“  The  sun  shall  be  no  more  thy  light  by  day, 
neither  for  brightness  shall  the  moon  give  light 
unto  thee ;  but  the  Lord  shall  be  unto  thee  an 
everlasting  light,  and  thy  God  thy  glory. ”f 
There,  from  a  reflection  of  that  glory,  the  right¬ 
eous  themselves  shall  shine  forth  as  the  sun  in 
the  kingdom  of  their  Father.  Eternal  glory 
beams  in  Immanuel’s  land.  Everlasting  light 
emanates  from  His  blessed  face.  “Thy  sun 
shall  no  more  go  down,  neither  shall  thy  moon 
withdraw  itself;  for  the  Lord  shall  be  thine 
everlasting  light,  and  the  days  of  thy  mourning 
shall' be  ended.”;);  “  And  there  shall  be  no  night 
there ;  and  they  need  no  candle,  neither  light  of 
the  sun;  for  the  Lord  God  giveth  them  light; 
and  they  shall  reign  forever  and  ever.”§ 

To  this  blessedness,  to  this  glory,  to  this 
honor,  to  this  immortality  t  “  the  Spirit  and  the 
Bride  say,  Come.  And  let  him  that  heareth 
say,  Come.  And  let  him  that  is  athirst,  Come. 


*  Rev.  xxi.  23. 
|  Isa  lx.  20. 


f  Isa.  lx.  19 
g  Rey.  xxii.  5 


V 


220  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


And  whosoever  will,  let  him  take  the  water  of 
life  freely.”  0,  my  friends !  be  wise  in  time ; 
choose  a  glorious  Christ  now,  and  you  shall 
shine  as  the  stars  forever  and  ever. 

Now,  “  Blessed  be  the  Lord  God,  the  God  of 
Israel,  who  only  doeth  wondrous  things.  And 
blessed  be  his  glorious  name  forever  let  the 
wiiole  earth  be  filled  with  his  glory  Amen 
and  amen.” 


“  He  who  on  earth  as  man  was  known, 

And  bore  our  sins  and  pains. 

Now,  seated  on  the  eternal  throne. 

The  God  of  glory  reigns. 

*His  hands  the  wheels  of  nature  grade 
With  an  unerring  ski!1 ; 

And  countless  worlds  extended  wide. 
Obey  his  sov’reign  will 

“  While  harps  unnumber’d  sound  his  pralae 
In  yonder  world  above ; 

His  saints  on  earth  admire  his  ways, 

And  glory  in  his  love. 

“  His  righteousness  to  faith  reveal’d, 
Wrought  out  for  guilty  worms; 

Affords  a  hiding  place  and  shield, 

From  enemies  and  storma, 

“This  land,  through  which  his  pilgrims  go 
Is  desoiate  and  dry; 

But  streams  of  grace  from  him  o’erflow 
Their  thirst,  to  satisfy. 


s 


i 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  22l 


'*  When  troubles,  like  a  burning  sun, 
Beat  heavy  on  their  head  , 

To  this  almighty  Rock  they  run. 

And  find  a  pleasing  shade. 

wHow  glorious  he  1  how  happy  they 
Iu  such  a  glorious  Friend  1 
Whose  love  secures  them  all  the  w Ay, 
And  irowno  them  at  the  omb” 


222  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


CHAPTER  IV 

enRIST  CRUCIFIED.  * 

“  For  I  determined  not  to  know  any  thing  among  you,  save 
Jesus  Christ  and  him  crucified.” — 1  Cor.  ii.  2. 

“We  preach  Christ  crucified.” — 1  Cor.  i.  23. 

'‘When  on  the  cross  my  Lord  I  see 
Bleeding  to  death  for  wretched  me  . 

Satan  and  sin  no  more  can  move, 

For  I  am  all  transform’d  to  love. 

\ 

1  His  thorns  and  nails  pierce  through  my  heart, 

In  ev’r^  groan  I  bear  a  part ; 

I  view  his  wounds  with  streaming  eyes, 

But  see  I  he  bows  his  head  and  dies  I 

“Come,  sinners,  view  the  Lamb  of  God, 

Wounded  and  dead,  and  bath’d  in  blood. 

Behold  his  side,  and  venture  near, 

The  well  of  endless  life  is  here. 

“Here  I  forget  my  cares  and  pains; 

I  drink,  yet  still  my  thirst  remains.; 

Only  the  fountain  head  above 
Can  satisfy  the  thirst  of  love. 

“Oh,  that  I  thus  could  always  feell 
Lord,  more  and  more  thy  1  ve  reveal ; 

Then  my  glad  tongue  shall  loud  proclaim 
The  grace  and  glory  of  thy  name. 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  223 


**  Thy  name  dispels  my  guilt  and  fear, 

Revives  my  heart,  and  charms  my  ear 
Affords  a  balm  for  every  wound, 

And  Satan  trembles  at  the  sound.” 

The  death  of  Christ  was  the  most  affecting 
and  solemn  scene  ever  presented  to  the  view  of 
men  or  angels.  What  a  sight !  to  see  Christ  on 
the  cross  bleeding  for  sinners !  How  astonish¬ 
ing  t  to  see  the  King  of  glory,  whom  all  the  an¬ 
gels  of  heaven  worship  and  adore,  bow  his  head 
in  death !  Earth  never  before  witnessed  such  a 
sight.  Heaven  never  before  looked  upon  such 
a  scene.  0  my  soul,  draw  near  and  contemplate 
it.  Look  towards  Calvary  with  the  cross  erected 
in  thy  view,  and  behold  the  Son  of  God  nailed 
to  the  accursed  tree,  his  blessed  hands,  and  side 
and  feet  pierced,  his  blood  streaming  from  every 
pore,  until  pallid  death  sits  upon  his  heavenly 
brow,  and  he  cries,  “  Father,  into  thy  hands  I 
commend  my  spirit.”  This  is  the  scene,  the  sol¬ 
emn  scene,  upon  which  we  are  about  to  dwell. 

We  have  been  contemplating  the  glory  of 
Christ;  we  come  now  to  notice  his  wonderful 
v  death.  We  have  seen  him  arrayed  in  the  robes 
of  eternal  glory  ;  now  we  see  him  laying  aside 
these  bright  robes,  humbling  himself  and  be 
coming  obedient  unto  death,  even  the  death  of 
the  cross.  Amazing  condescension  !  that  the 
glorious  Soi  o’  God  should  forsake  the  realms 


224  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


of  everlasting  clay,  leave  the  throne  cf  glory, 
and  take  up  his  abode  in  this  dark  region  of  sin 
and  suffering !  Boundless  love !  that  He  should 
expire  on  the  cross  for  a  guilty  world ! 

“Oh!  love  without  compare, 

Oh !  love  beyond  degree  ; 

That  lie,  whom  cherubim  adore, 

Should  bleed  and  die  for  me  P 

Christ  became  man  that  he  might  die  for  man, 
that  his  precious  blood  might  flow  for  the  re¬ 
demption  of  a  lost  world.  The  land  of  Judea 
was  the  birthplace  of  the  Saviour  of  the  world. 
It  was  once  the  glory  of  all  lands.  Jerusalem 
was  its  renowned  metropolis.  Here,  God  was 
manifested  in  the  flesh.  Here,  the  Son  of  God 
walked  with  man,  clad  as  a  man,  in  the  garb  of 
humanity.  How  near  was  heaven  to  earth 
when  Jesus  dwelt  among  men,  promulgating 
the  blessed  gospel  of  the  grace  of  God,  to  a  sin¬ 
ful,  dying  world !  What  joyful  tidings  were 
conveyed  to  the  shepherds  of  Bethlehem,  when 
“the  angel  of  the  Lord  came  upon  them,  and 
the  glory  of  the  Lord  shone  round  about  them.” 
“And  the  angel  said  unto  them,  fear  not,  for 
behold,,  I  bring  you  good  tidings  of  great  joy, 
which  shall  be  to  all  people.  Lor  unto  you  is 
born  this  day,  in  the  city  of  David,  a  Saviour, 
which  if-  Christ  the  Lord.”  Well  might  the 


CHRIST,  AND  tHIM  CRUCIFIEDc  225 


V  , 

bright  host  of  heaven  burst  into  that  sublime 
birth-song  of  Immanuel!  “Glory  to  God  in  the 
highest,  and  on  earth  peace,  good-will  toward 
man.” 

Christ  came  to  reconcile  a  rebel  earth  to  the 
offended  majesty  of  heaven;  to  suffer,  the  just 
for  the  unjust;  to  give  his  life  a  ransom  for 
many;  to  die  on  Calvary.  And  when  that 
eventful  hour,  fixed  upon  in  the  counsels  of 
eternity,  in  which  the  Son  of  God  should  pour 
out  his  soul  unto  death,  had  arrived,  how  im¬ 
pressive,  how  solemn  was  the  scene  that  trans¬ 
pired  on  Calvary’s  sacred  mount!  How  great 
were  the  sufferings  of  God’s  beloved  Son !  How 
painful  the  death  he  endured !  A  series  of  un¬ 
paralleled  sufferings  which  he  bore  in  his  own 
person,  immediately  preceded  the  crucifixion  of 
our  Saviour.  In  the  garden  of  Gethsemane,  m 
the  judgment-hall  on  the  way  to  Calvary,  and 
after  his  arrival  there,  his  sufferings  were  in¬ 
tensely  severe.  We  design  to  notice  these. 

The  whole  life  of  Christ  was  a  life  of  sorrow 
and  suffering.  He  was  always  “  a  man  of  sor¬ 
rows,  and  acquainted  with  grief.”  From  the 
manger  to  the  cross  he  trod  a  thorny  pathway. 
For  you,  sinner,  he  lived  a  suffering  life,  and 
for  you  he  died  a  painful  death.  Should  not 
the  love,  the  dying  love  of  Christ,  constrain  you 
to  love  him  who  first  loved  you,  and  gave  him- 


220  CHRIST,  AND  CRUCIFIED. 


self  for  you,  yes,  his  own  glorious  self.  Surely 
it  should.  Surely  your  whole  heart  should  be 
a  flame  of  burning  love  to  your  adorable  Saviour, 
11  Whom  having  not  seen,  ye  love.” 

Christ  stood  in  the  room  and  stead  of  dying 
sinners.  He  was  our  representative,  and  as  such 
he  endured  the  penalty  of  a  broken  law.  He 
bore  our  griefs,  and  carried  our  sorrows.  All 
our  iniquities  were  laid  on  him.  No  wonder 
then,  that  his  holy  soul  was  almost  overwhelmed 
when  all  the  waves  and  billows  of  divine  wrath 
were  about  to  gather  and  break  over  his  devoted 
head  I  No  wonder  that  he  should  cry,  ■ 1  0  my 
Father,  if  it  be  .possible,  let  this  cup  pass  from 
me.”  What  intense  sufferings  the  blessed  Jesus 
endured,  when  he  was  about  to  make  his  soul 
an  offering  for  sin !  when  he  bore  our  sins  in  his 
own  body  on  the  tree ! 

Contemplate  the  scenes  and  circumstances  of 
the  Saviour’s  suffering  and  death.  Call  up  in 
your  mind  those  memorable  names  consecrated 
by  the  passion  and  death  of  Christ, — Jerusa¬ 
lem,  —  Gethsemane,  —  Calvary.  The  remem¬ 
brance  of  Jerusalem  awakens  some  of  the  most 
thrilling  associations  that  ever  clustered  around 
the  memory.  Here,  some  of  the  most  momentous 
events  in  the  annals  cf  time,  or  in  the  records 
of  eternity,  transpired.  Here,  was  displayed 
the  most  amazing  and  glorious  scene  that  was 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  227 


ever  exhibited  on  this  terrestrial  globe.  Here, 
on  Mount  Calvary,  the  Son  of  God,  the  Crea¬ 
tor  of  the  Universe,  once  hung  in  agonies 
and  death;  and  here,  he  accomplished  that 
wonderful,  that  great  and  sublime  scheme  of 
man’s  redemption,  which  is  the  wonder  of  an¬ 
gels,  which  will  form  the  delightful  theme  of 
the  redeemed  in  glory,  through  the  countless 
ages  of  eternity.  What  a  sacred  spot  for  med¬ 
itation!  But  turn  to  Getlisemane.  This  is  a 
name  deeply  engraved  on  the  heart  of  every 
Christian.  Here  Christ  suffered  as  never  man 
suffered;  suffered  for  you,  sinners.  Here,  he 
endured  that  bitter  agony  for  you,  when  “his 
sweat  was  as  it  were  great  drops  of  blood  falling 
down  to  the  ground.” 

How  let  us  view  that  mysterious  Mount,  just 
without  the  gates  of  Jerusalem,  on  which  the 
Man  of  sorrows  died.  Calvary !  at  the  mention 
of  that  name,  earth  thrills  with  new  emotions  of 
joy,  and  heaven  bursts  into  long,  loud  anthems 
of  praise.  Intense  glory  beams  from  the  sum¬ 
mit  of  Calvary ;  but  its  moral  heights  no  mor¬ 
tal  eye  can  view ;  its  top  is  lost  in  the  glorious 
atmosphere  of  the  upper  world.  In  heaven 
Calvary  will  awaken  many  a  glorious  associa¬ 
tion,  when  we  there  look  back  and  contemplate 
the  wondrous  scene  it  commemorates.  .  There  it 
will  live  forever  in  the  remembrance  of  all  the 


228  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


redeemed,  and  be.  the  eternal  source  of  their 
highest  bliss ! 

When  Christ  had  spent  more  than  thirty 
years  on  earth,  the  hour — the  eventful  hour  of 
his  departure  at  length  arrived,  and  with  his 
sufferings  full  in  view,  he  hastens  to  Jerusalem 
to  offer  himself  a  sacrifice  for  our  sins.  How  he 
longs  to  reach  his  ignominious  cross — to  be  bap¬ 
tized  with  his  own  blood — to  accomplish  our 
salvation  on  Calvary !  Blessed  be  God  for  such 
a  Saviour,  whose  delights  were  always  with  the 
sons  of  men ! 

The  following  beautiful  lines  on  “the  Re¬ 
deemer  hastening  to  suffer,”  are  from  the  Den 
of  Cowper 


“  The  Saviour,  what  a  noble  flame 
Was  kindled  in  his  breast, 

When,  hasting  to  Jerusalem, 

He  marched  before  the  rest!* 

“  Good-will  to  men  and  zeal  for  God. 

His  every  thought  engross; 

He  longs  to  be  baptized  with  blood, f 
He  pants  to  reach  his  cross. 

*  With  all  his  sufferings  full  in  view, 

And  woes  to  us  unknown, 

Forth  to  the  task  his  spirit  flew, 

’Twas  love  that  urged  him  on. 

*  Luke  six  23.  f  Luke  xii.  5a 


♦ 


CHRIST  AND  Hlil  CRUCIFIED,  229 


(t  Lord,  we  return  thee  what  we  can ! 

Our  hearts  shall  sound  abroad 
Salvation  to  the  dying  Man, 

And  to  the  rising  Godl 

M  And  while  thy  bleeding  glorir  '  .re 
Engage  our  wondering  eyes 
"VVe  learn  our  lighter  cross  to  i*ear, 

And  hasten  to  the  skies.” 

Arrived  at  Jerusalem,  for  tlie  last  time,  the 
Saviour  eats  the  passover  with  his  disciples,  and 
institutes  the  sacramental  supper  in  that  last 
gloomy  night  which  preceded  his  painful  death. 
In  his  dying  love  he  instituted  that  ordinance 
which  will,  through  all  time  commemorate  his 
sufferings  and  death. 

“And  as  they  were  eating,  Jesus  took  bread, 
and  blessed  it,  and  brake  it,  and  gave  it  to  the 
disciples,  and  said,  Take,  eat ;  this  is  my  body. 
And  he  took  the  cup  and  gave  thanks,  and  gave 
it  to  them,  saying,  Drink  ye  all  of  it ;  for  this  is 
my  blood  of  the  new  testament,  which  is  shed 
for  many  for  the  remission  of  sins.”*  Who 
would  not  obey  the  injunction,  the  dying  in¬ 
junction,  of  the  Friend  of  sinners,  “  This  do  in 
remembrance  of  me  ?”  Come  and  manifest  your 
love  to  the  Lord  Jesus,  at  his  c  wn  table ;  come, 
for  all  things  are  now  ready.  ‘  Eat,  0  friends ; 

*  Matt.  xxvi.  26-28. 

2C 


230  CHRIST,  AND  H .  M  CRUCIFIED. 


drink,  yea,  drink  abundantly,  0  beloved.” 
What  tender  love  did  the  blessed  Jesus  manifest 
to  his  sorrowful  disciples,  when  he  was  about  to 
leave  them,  and  bleed  and  die  on  Calvary ! 
“  Let  not  your  heart  be  troubled,”  says  he,  “  ye 
believe  in  God,  believe  also  in  me.  In  my 
Father’s  house  are  many  mansions :  if  it  were 
not  so  I  would  have  told  you.  I  go  to  prepare 
a  place  for  you.  And  if  I  go  and  prepare  a 
place  for  you,  I  will  come  again  and  receive  you 
unto  myself;  that  where  I  am,  there  ye  may 
be  also.”  Consoling  words !  What  animating 
prospects  are  here  presented  to  the  humble  fol¬ 
lowers  of  Christ !  Our  Father’s  house,  the  many 
mansions  of  glory,  our  being  with  Christ,  where 
he  is,  our  future  felicity  in  heaven,  are  here  all 
held  up  for  our  encouragement,  while  in  a 
suffering  world.  How  solacing,  how  joyful  to 
the  weary  Christian,  struggling  amidst  the  storms 
and  afflictions  of  life,  to  find  a  happy  resting 
place  in  our  Father’s  house,  in  Immanuel’s 
land  !  “  Blessed  be  the  God  and  Father  of  our 

Lord  Jesus  Christ;  which  according  to  his 
abundant  mercy,  hath  begotten  us  again  unto  a 
lively  hope  by  the  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ 
from  the  dead ;  to  an  inheritance  incorruptible 
and  undefiled,  and  that  fadeth  not  away;  re¬ 
served  in  heaven  for  y:u,  who  are  kept  by  the 


i 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  231 


power  of  God  through  faith  unto  salvation 
ready  to  be  revealed  in  the  last  time.”* 

How  brightly  did  the  dying  love  of  Jesus 
shine  in  that  “  upper  room”  at  Jerusalem ! 
“Having  loved  his  own  which  were  in  the 
world,  he  loved  them  unto  the  end.”  Brighter 
and  brighter  will  that  redeeming  love  of  Lis 
eternally  shine  in  the  upper  room  of  glory. 
There  all  Christ’s  dear  children  shall  sit  down 
at  the  banquet  of  love  spread  there,  from  which 
they  shall  rise  no  more ;  but  where  they  shall 
forever  “eat  of  that  hidden  manna,”  and  drink 
of  that  living  “water  of  life,  clear  as  crystal, 
proceeding  out  of  the  throne  of  God  and  of  the 
Lamb;”  where  they  will  forever  enjoy  the  pres¬ 
ence  and  smiles  of  a  gracious  Kedeemer. 

Having  uttered  that  beautiful  prayer,  “Father, 
the  hour  is  come ;  glorify  thy  Son,  that  thy  Son 
also  may  glorify  thee,”  &c.,  the  Saviour  calls 
upon  his  faithful  band,  “  Arise,  let  us  go  hence.’ ' 
“  When  Jesus  had  spoken  these  words,  he  wen 
forth  with  his  disciples  over  the  brook  Kedron, 
where  was  a  garden,  into  which  he  entered,  and 
his  disciples.” 

The  sun  had  passed  the  western  norizon,  and 
the  mantle  of  darkness  was  spread  over  a  slum¬ 
bering  world,  when  that  mournful  group  crossed 


*  Teter  i.  3-5. 


232  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


the  Kedron,  and  entered  the  garden  of  Getlisem- 
ane.  Thither  Jesus  had  often  resorted  with  his 
disciples.  The  spot  was  well  known  to  them  all. 
But  never  before  had  the  Saviour  come  hither 
with  a  heart  so  full  of  sorrow.  Listen  to  his 
mournful  cry,  “  My  soul,”  said  he,  “  is  exceed¬ 
ingly  sorrowful,  even  unto  death  :  tarry  ye  here, 
and  watch  with  me.”  Your  sins,  reader,  bore 
him  down.  The  sins  of  a  lost  world  over¬ 
whelmed  him,  and  he  “  fell  on  his  face,  and 
prayed,  saying,  0  my  Father,  if  it  be  possible, 
let  this  cup  pass  from  me :  nevertheless,  not  as  I 
will,  but  as  thou  wilt.” 

If  that  bitter  cup  had  passed  the  Saviour’s 
lips,  where  would  you,  where  would  I  have 
been  this  day  ?  Without  a  Saviour,  without  a 
heaven,  passing  our  weary  days  in  darkness  and 
despair.  Impenetrable  gloom  would  have  be¬ 
clouded  our  bright  immortal  hopes.  But  thanks 
be  unto  God  for  his  unspeakable  gift,  for  the 
gift  of  Jesus ;  for  his  precious  life,  for  his  pre¬ 
cious  death,  which  brings  salvation  to  a  lost 
world!  The  sufferings  of  our  Saviour  in  the 
garden  of  Gethsemane,  were  all  endured  for  us, 
guilty  sinners.  0  what  piercing  agony  is  that 
which  rends  his  heart,  and  forces  “great  drops 
of  blood”  down  those  pale  cheeks  moistening 
the  green  earth  !  “  And  being  in  an  agony,  he 

prayed  mo  e  earnestly  and  his  sweat  was  as 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  263 


it  were  great  drops  of  blood  falling  down  to  the 
ground.”*  After  rising  from  the  earth  he  had 
moistened  with  his  blood,  Christ  is  apprehended 
and  betrayed  into  the  hands  of  sinners.  The 
sword  of  divine  justice  is  now  fairly  unsheathed. 
God  the  Father  is  now  commissioning  the  sword 
of  his  justice  to  awake  against  his  own  dear  Son, 
who  is  now  delivered  for  our  offences. 

“Awake,  0  sword,  against  my  Shepherd,  and 
against  the  man  that  is  my  fellow,  saitli  the 
Lord  of  hosts:  smite  the  Shepherd,  and  the 
sheep  shall  be  scattered;  and  I  will  turn  my 
hand  upon  the  little  ones.” 

The  innocent  sufferer  of  Gethsemane,  who  is 
none  other  than  the  Creator  of  worlds,  and  the 
Author  of  our  being,  is  hurried  away  to  the 
judgment  hall  of  an  earthly  court,  there  to  be 
derided  and  condemned  to  death  by  sinful  mor¬ 
tals.  There  the  blessed  Eedeemer  gave  “his 
back  to  the  smiters,  and  his  cheeks  to  them  that 
plucked  off  the  hair;”  there  he  “hid  not  his 
face  from  shame  and  spitting.”-)*  There  the  glo¬ 
rious  Son  of  God  “  was  wounded  for  our  trans¬ 
gressions,  bruised  for  our  iniquities,”  wounded 
and  bruised  till  his  heavenly  “  visage  was  so 
marred  more  than  any  man,  and  his  form  more 
than  the  sons  of  men.”J  What  condescen 

*  Luke  xxii.  44.  f  Is.  1.  6.  \  Is.  lii.  14. 

20* 


234  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


sion  and  love  are  hare  displayed!  Wonder  0 
heavens !  Be  astonished  0  earth !  Behold  that 
bleeding  victim,  wearing  a  thorny  crown,  see 
his  life’s  blood  streaming  from  every  lacerated 
vein,  and  read  in  that  bleeding  heart  the  vast¬ 
ness  of  redeeming  love.  He  who  now  wears 
that  crown  of  thorns  for  sinners  once  wore  a 
crown  of  glory  at  God’s  right  hand. 

What  manner  of  love  was  that  which  led 
Christ  to  make  such  an  exchange  as  this — a 
crown  of  glory  for  a  crown  of  thorns  !  It  was 
the  love,  the  infinite  love  he  ever  bore  to  dying 
sinners.  Nothing  brought  him  from  his  throne 
of  glory  to  his  cross  of  suffering  but  eternal, 
redeeming  love.  Look  at  the  bleeding  Jesus 
again  and  again  till  your  hearts  overflow  with 
love  to  him.  Pilate  said  to  the  Jews,  “  Behold 
the  man!”  We  would  say  to  you  in  the  lan¬ 
guage  of  a  greater  and  better  than  Pilate,  “  Be¬ 
hold  the  Lamb  of  God  which  taketh  away  the 
sin  of  the  world !”  Behold  Him  as  your  Saviour, 
bleeding  for  your  sins.  Behold  Him  till  the  eye 
of  faith  brightens,  and  you  exclaim  with  Thomas, 
“  My  Lord  (yes  my  bleeding  Lord)  and  my  God.” 
In  that  judgment  hall  the  Lord  of  glory  is  con¬ 
demned  to  death.  There  “he  was  oppressed, 
and  he  was  afflicted,  yet  he  opened  not  his 
month  ;  h?  is  brought  as  a  lamb  to  the  slaughter, 

/ 

N 


\ 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  235 


and  as  a  sheep  before  her  shearers  is  dumb,  so 
he  opened  not  his  mouth.” 

But  let  us  follow  Him  to  the  cross.  That 
last  dreadful  night  of  the  Son  of  God  had  passed. 
Morning  had  broke  as  clear  and  beautiful  as 
ever.  The  sun  had  risen  in  his  strength,  and 
his  glorious  midday  beams  were  now  gladdening 
the  oriental  landscape ;  all  nature  was  smiling 
around,  when  Christ,  bearing  his  cross,  thronged 
by  an  immense  crowd  of  bitter  enemies  and 
wondering  spectators,  is  led  away  to  be  crucified. 

Leaving  the  gates  of  the  crowded  cit}r,  that 
train  is  seen  ascending  the  slope  of  Mount  Cal¬ 
vary.  What,  views,  what  scenes  are  now  pre¬ 
sented  to  the  astonished  gaze.  There  stands 
Jerusalem  in  all  its  glory ;  Mount  Zion  with 
its  countless  edifices,  palaces,  and  towers  of 
strength;  Mount  Moriah  with  its  magnificent 
temple,  whose  glorious  form  dazzles  the  eye  of 
the  beholder  as  the  sunbeams  fall  upon  it ;  and 
a  little  before  you,  arises  a  mysterious  Mount, 
on  whose  summit  the  cross  of  Christ  is  to  be 
erected. 

But  there  was  a  far  more  interesting  and 
glorious  sight  than  was  ever  before  exhibited 
on  earth,  passing  before  you.  All  heaven  was 
gazing  with  profound  interest  upon  it.  There 
was  the  Son  of  God,  the  glorious  Redeemer  of  a 
lost  world,  going  to  ransom  his  people  with  his 


236  CHRIST,  AND  FIIM  CRUCIFIED 


own  blood,  — to  pay  the  last  farthing  that  God’s 
holy  law  demanded, — to  make  an  end  of  sin, — 
to  bring  in  an  everlasting  righteousness, — to 
vanquish  Satan  and  all  his  legions, — to  triumph 
over  death  itself,  and  the  gloomy  grave.  There 
was  the  Captain  of  our  salvation  going  to  open 
the  portals  of  heaven  and  lead  millions  of 
Adam’s  sons  to  glory.  There  was  One  whose 
arm  had  made  the  heaven  of  heavens  going  to 
be  nailed  to  a  cross.  “  And  he  bearing  his  cross 
went  forth  into  a  place,  called  the  place  of  a 
skull,  which  is  called  in  the  Hebrew,  Golgotha; 
where  they  crucified  him,  and  two  others  with 
him,  on  either  side  one,  and  Jesus  in  the 
midst.”'54' 

What  a  scene  is  now  transpiring  on  Calvary ! 
Thousands  are  gazing  on  the  Son  of  God  welter¬ 
ing  in  his  own  blood.  Well  might  angels  leave 
their  thrones  to  look  upon  such  a  scene.  Well 
might  mortals  be  amazed  at  such  love  as 
shines  around  that  cross,  and  dazzled  with  that 
glory  which  beams  from  Calvary.  The  holy, 
the  innocent  Jesus  is  nailed  to  the  cross  for  sin¬ 
ners.  But  as  his  murderers  are,  with  heavy 
blows,  driving  the  nails  into  his  blessed  hands 
and  feet,  those  pale,  quivering  lips  mutter  strange 
words,  which  partake  more  of  the  language  of  a 

*  xix,  17,  18. 


r 


CHRIST.  A  IS  D  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  237 

4 


God  than  a  man ;  which  breathe  nothing  but 
pardoning  love.  It  is  the  dying  prayer  of  Jesus 
for  his  murderers,  ‘Father,  forgive  them:  for 
they  know  not  what  they  do.” 

Blessed  Jesus !  thou  art  compassion  itself.  0 
speak  these  words  to  every  reader.  Say  to  him 
— to  her,  “  Son,  daughter,  be  of  good  cheer ;  thy 
sins  are  forgiven  thee.”  “  Father,  forgive  them  ; 
for  they  know  not  what  they  do  !”  That  prayer 
was  soon  answered.  Many  who  had  vociferated 
“  Crucify  Him,  Crucify  Him,”  were  soon  after¬ 
wards  crying,  “  Men  and  brethren,  what  shall  we 
do  to  be  saved  ?”  They  were  indeed  forgiven 
and  accepted  by  him  whom  they  had  crucified. 

Almighty  Saviour!  thy  power  is  the  same 
now ;  break  each  heart  of  stone.  Thy  grace  is 
the  same  now ;  pour  it  forth  on  guilty  sinners. 
Then  will  they  look  to  thee  whom  they  have 
pierced,  and  mourn ! 

“‘Father,  forgive,  (the  Saviour  said,) 

They  know  not  what  they  do 

His  heart  was  moved,  when  thus  he  pray  1 
For  me,  my  friends,  and  you. 

He  saw  that  as  the  Jews  abus’d 
And  crucified  his  flesh  ; 

So  he,  by  us,  would  be  refus’d, 

An  1  crucified  afresh. 


238  CHRIST  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


Through  love  of  sin,  we  long  -were  proi* 

To  act  as  Satan  bid  ; 

But  now  with  grief  and  shame  we  own. 

We  knew  not  what  we  did. 

5  We  knew  not  the  desert  of  sin, 

Nor  whom  we  thus  defied  ; 

Nor  where  our  guilty  souls  had  been. 

If  Jesus  had  not  died? 

“We  knew  not  what  a  law  we  broke, 

How  holy,  just  and  pure  ! 

Nor  what  a  God  we  durst  provoke, 

But  thought  ourselves  secure. 

“  But  Jesus  all  oui  guilt  foresaw, 

And  shed  his  precious  blood 

To  satisfy  the  holy  law, 

And  make  our  peace  with  Gcd. 

“My  sin,  dear  Saviour,  made  thee  bleed, 

Yet  didst  thou  pray  for  me  ! 

I  knew  not  what  I  did,  indeed, 

When  ignorant  of  thee.” 

For  three  long  hours  did  the  Saviour  hang, 
bleeding  on  the  cross,  enduring  indescribable 
agonies.  Oh  !  was  there  ever  sorrow  like  that 
which  a  dying  Saviour  felt!  Well  might  the 
suffering  Jesus  exclaim,  “  Behold,  and  see  if 
there  be  any  sorrow  like  unto  my  sorrow, 
which  is  done  unto  me,  wherewith  the  Lord 
hath  afflicted  me  in  the  day  of  his  fierce  anger.” 
One  wave  after  another  broke  over  the  Saviour’s 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  239 


ooul,  till  the  last,  heaviest  of  all,  came  rolling 
on  to  overwhelm  him.  His  Father — his  own 
Father,  had  deserted  him;  and  from  that  bloody 
cross  arose  a  most  piercing  cry,  “  My  God,  my 
God,  why  hast  thou  forsaken  me?”  Amidst 
this  dreadful  suffering,  nature  seems  to  sym* 
pathize  with  her  bleeding  Author.  She  gives  a 
groan  that  makes  the  earth  tremble,  and  turns 
the  heavens  into  blackness.  How  awful  the 
period !  Darkness  covers  the  land ;  the  sun  is 
darkened ;  the  earth  quakes;  the  rocks  are  rent ; 
the  veil  of  the  temple  is  rent  in  twain ;  the 
graves  are  opened,  and  sleeping  saints  arise. 
“  Now,  from  the  sixth  hour  there  was  darkness 
over  all  the  land  unto  the  ninth  hour.  And 
behold,  the  veil  of  the  temple  was  rent  in  twain 
from  the  top  to  the  bottom :  and  the  earth  did 
quake,  and  the  rocks  rent ;  and  the  graves  were 
opened,  and  many  bodies  of  saints  which  slept 
arose,  and  came  out  of  the  grave  after  his  resur¬ 
rection,  and  went  into  the  holy  city,  and  ap¬ 
peared  unto  many.”*  Well  may  the  sun  turn 
black  in  the  heavens ;  well  may  the  earth  quake, 
and  the  rocks  rend,  when  that  divine  Personage 
is  in  the  arms  of  death ;  and  well  may  a  heathen 
centurion  exclaim  at  such  a  sight,  “  Truly  this 
man  was  the  Son  of  God.”  Amidst  this  awful 


*  Matt,  xinl  45,  51,  58. 


r 


240  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


convulsion  of  nature,  are  heard  the  dying  words 
)f  the  Man  of  Calvary.  In  tremulous  tones 
they  fall  on  the  ears  of  the  amazed  spectators; 
but  the  human  ear  was  never  before  greeted 
with  such  joyful  sounds — with  such  glorious 
tidings. 

That  bleeding  Sufferer  never  bowed  his  head 
in  death,  until  he  had  conquered  every  foe  and 
exclaimed  with  his  departing  breath,  in  the  lan¬ 
guage  of  triumph,  “It  is  finished.”  “  When 
Jesus  therefore  had  received  the  vinegar,  he 
said,  It  is  finished ;  and  he  bowed  his  head,  and 
gave  up  the  ghost.”*  “  It  is  finished  I”  At 
the  mention  of  these  words  the  universe  thrills 
with  joy.  Glad  tidings !  let  them  ring  from 
pole  to  pole — let  them  be  loudly  proclaimed 
from  every  pulpit, — published  from  every  press* 
let  every  Christian  blaze  tnem  aoroad;  let  every 
missionary  fly  with  them  to  heathen  lands ;  let 
all  the  ends  of  the  earth  hear  the  joyful  sound, 
“  It  is  finished  I” 

When  Christ  died,  the  redemption  of  a  lost 
world  was  finished.  The  gates  of  'the  New 
Jerusalem  above  were  then  opened  to  admit  the 
redeemed  sinner.  Heaven  was  then  at  peacs 
with  earth.  God  could  then  look  in  compassion 

and  love  on  a  rebel  world — could  then  encircle 

% 

*  John  tul  80. 


\ 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  241 


in  his  gracious  arms  the  vilest  of  Adam’s  apos¬ 
tate  race. 

When  Christ  had  commended  his  spirit  into 
the  hands  of  his  Father,  the  solemn  scene  on 
Calvary  soon  closed.  The  astonished  multitude 
began  to  leave  the  sacred  spot,  and  march  to¬ 
wards  a  noisy  city.  “  And  all  the  people  that 
came  together  to  that  sight,  beholding  the  things 
which  were  done,  smote  their  breasts  and  re¬ 
turned.”*  But  reader,  follow  not  a  thoughtless 
world.  Stay  on  Calvary.  There  *  view  the 
bleeding  glories  of  Immanuel.  There  taste  the 
sweetness  of  redeeming  love.  There  contem¬ 
plate  a  glorious,  finished  salvation.  0  my  soul, 
look  to  that  precious  bleeding  Saviour;  trust 
him  for  his  grace ;  praise  him  for  his  love,  and 
adore  him  for  that  p*rand  atonement  which  he 
made  on  Calvary  i 


1  Let  me  dwell  on  Golgothe, 

Weep  and  love  my  life  away ; 
While  I  see  him  on  the  tree 
Weep,  and  bleed,  and  die  for  lie! 

That  dear  blood  for  sinners  spilt, 
Shows  my  sin  in  all  its  guilt ; 

Ah,  my  soul,  he  bore  the  load, 
Thou  hast  slain  the  Lamb  of  Gad 

*  Luke  xxiii  49. 


242 


CHRIST,  AND  Hilt  CRUCIFIED, 


•  Hark  !  his  dying  word,  1  Forgivo 
Father,  let  the  sinner  live  ; 

Sinner  wipe  the  tears  away, 

I  thy  ransom  freely  pay.’ 

While  I  hear  this  grace  reveal’d, 
And  obtain  a  pardon  seal’d ; 

All  my  soft  affections  move, 
Waken’d  by  the  force  of  love. 

Farewell,  world,  thy  gold  is  dross, 
Now  I  see  the  bleeding  cross ; 
*>esus  died  to  set  me  free 
From  the  law,  and  sin  and  theel 

He  has  dearly  bought  my  soul. 
Lord,  accept  and  claim  the  whole 
To  thy  will  I  all  resign, 

Kov,  no  more  my  own,  but  thsna 


I 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  243 


CHAPTER  V. 

CHRIST  CRUCIFIED - CONTINUED. 

“Before  whose  eyes  Jesus  Christ  hath  txaen  evidently  set 
forth  crucified.” — Gal.  iii.  1. 

“  Christ  our  passover  is  sacrificed  for  us.” — 1  Cor.  v.  7. 

Reader,  before  your  eyes  Jesus  Christ  has 
been  evidently  set  forth  crucified.  You  have 
followed  him  to  Gethsemane ;  from  Gethsemane 
to  the  judgment  hall;  from  the  judgment  hall 
to  Calvary.  You  have  seen  him  extended  on 
the  cross,  bathed  in  blood.  You  have  heard 
his  dying  groans,  and  seen  him  bow  his  head 
and  expire.  Before  your  intellectual  vision 
Calvary’s  mournful  scene  has  been  arrayed. 

Now  let  us  inquire  into  the  cause  of  the 
sufferings  and  death  of  Christ.  Why  does  the 
Lord  of  life  and  glory  thus  suffer  ?  Why  does 
he  endure  that  piercing  agony  and  that  bloody 
sweat  in  gloomy  Gethsemane  ?  Why  is  he  con¬ 
demned  to  the  death  of  Calvary  ?  Look  at  the 
crucified  Jesus.  Why  does  he  hang  on  that 
bloody  cross?  Why  are  those  blessed  hands 
and  feet  nailed  to  the  accursed  tree  ?  W  hy  is 


244  CHRIST,  AST)  HIM  CRICIFIED. 


that  dear  side  pierced  with  the  soldier's  spear  ? 
Why  does  the  immaculate  Lamb  of  God  thus 
bleed?  Ah!  sinner,  it  is  for  you.  For  you 
Christ  endured  that  indescribable  agony  in 
Gethsemane,  and  those  excruciating  pains  on 
Calvary.  For  you,  the  blood  trickles  down 
those  pale  cheeks,  and  streams  from  that  pierced 
side.  For  you,  the  Son  of  God  endures  the 
hidings  of  his  Father’s  face,  till  he  is  led  to 
exclaim  in  the  bitterness  of  his  soul,  u  My  God, 
my  God,  why  hast  thou  forsaken  me?”  and  for 
you  his  last  breath  is  drawn,  and  his  last  cry 
uttered,  “It  is  finished.”  0  could  you  but  see 
with  faith’s  vision,  what  Christ  has  done  for  you, 
surely  your  whole  heart  would  burn  with  love 
to  such  a  Saviour,  who,  to  ransom  your  precious 
soul  from  eternal  woe,  shed  his  own  blood! 
That  precious  blood  was  not  shed  in  vain;  it 
was  poured  out  to  cleanse  you  from  the  guilt  of 
sin.  It  streamed  down  that  cross  to  wash  away 
the  moral  stains  of  a  polluted  world.  Not  all 
the  blood  that  flowed  from  the  Jewish  altars 
could  do  this.  But  that  vicarious  sacrifice 
offered  on  Calvary,  expiates  the  greatest  guilt. 
The  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  cleanses  from  all  sin. 
The  meritorious  obedience,  sufferings,  and  death 
of  the  incarnate  Son  of  God,  afford  an  ample 
satisfaction  for  sin.  God’s  holy,  but  violated 
law  requires  nothing  more.  Now  there  is  no* 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  245 


tiling  to  condemn  believers  in  Christ.  “  There 
is  therefore  nownc  condemnation  to  tliem  which 
are  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  walk  not  after  the  flesh, 
but  after  the  Spirit/’ 

In  the  8th  chapter  of  Romans — a  chapter  that 
ought  to  be  written  in  golden  letters — the  Apos¬ 
tle  boldly  exclaims,  “  Who  shall  lay  any  thing 
to  the  charge  of  God’s  elect?  It  is  God  that 
justifieth  :  who  is  he  that  condemneth?  “  It  is 
Christ  that  died.”  This  is  the  only  plea  that  a 
guilty  sinner  can  make  before  a  just  God.  “  It 
is  Christ  that  died.”  Precious  truth  I 

Blessed  Jesus !  it  is  from  thy  death  that  we 
derive  our  life,  our  immortal  life.  It  is  from 
thy  bleeding  side  that  we  drink  of  the  living 
waters  of  life,  that  we  draw  our  purest  joys  and 
our  highest  felicities.  We  thank  thee,  Almighty 
Saviour,  for  thy  precious  death,  which  confers 
such  unspeakable  blessings  on  sinners. 

Christ  died  that  we  might  live.  He  died  for 
us.  The  decease  which  he  accomplished  at  Je¬ 
rusalem  was  for  our  sins,  “  Christ  died  for  our 
sins,  according  to  the  Scriptures.”*  “  He  was 
manifested  to  take  away  our  sins.”f  “Who 
his  own  self  bare  our  sins  in  his  own  body  on 
the  tree,  that  we  being  dead  to  sins,  should  live 
unto  righteousness,  by  whose  stripes  ye  were 

*  ^  Cor.  xv.  8. 


21* 


|  1  John  iii.  5» 


246  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


healed.”*  “  Christ  also  hath  once  suffeied  for 
sins,  the  just  for  the  unjust,  that  he  might  bring* 
us  to  God.”f  Sin,  then,  was  the  procuring  cause 
of  the  sufferings  and  death  of  God’s  dear  Son. 
Ah !  sinner,  you  have  slain  the  innocent  Lamb 
of  God.  You  have  caused  those  wounds  on  Im¬ 
manuel’s  glorious  person.  Your  sins  pierced 
him  to  the  very  heart.  Will  you  not  then  look 
on  Him  whom  you  have  pierced,  and  mourn  ? 
O  look  and  live,  for  in  that  look  there  is  life. 
Look  to  Him  who  is  lifted  up  on  the  cross  for 
you.  Have  you  looked  to  Christ  for  salvation  ? 
Looking  to  Christ  is  nothing  more  than  believ¬ 
ing  on  his  glorious  name.  Have  you  faith  in 
Him,  in  his  atoning  blood  ?  Saving  faith  in  a 
crucified  Christ  is  all  that  is  required  to  fit  the 
vilest  sinner  for  glory.  “  Believe  on  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  and  thou  shalt  be  saved.” J  "VYe 
entreat  you  again  to  look  to  a  dying  Saviour. 
Let  your  eyes  turn  to  that  bloody  tree,  whose 
leaves  are  for  the  healing  of  the  nations ;  for 
the  healing  of  your  soul.  Listen  to  the  Saviour’s 
own  gracious  call.  Hark  !  from  the  top  of  Cal¬ 
vary,  I  hear  the  blessed  invitation  fall  from  the 
lips  of  the  dying  Man,  “  Look  unto  me,  and  be 
ye  saved,  all  the  ends  of  the  earth.”  From 

*  Pet.  ii  24.  f  1  Pet  «ti,  IS. 


\  Acts  xvi.  31. 


AMD  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  247 


CHRIST, 


heaven’s  high  throne  I  hear  it  still  proclaimed 
by  the  glorious  Kedeemer,  “  Look  unto  me  and 
be  ye  saved.”  It  is  the  voice  of  Immanuel 
calling  sinners  home  to  glory.  It  is  the  voice 
of  God  speaking  in  the  tenderest  accents  of  re* 
deeming  love. 

“The  God  who  once  to  Israel  spoke 
From  Sinai’s  top,  in  fire  and  smoke, 

In  gentler  strains  of  gospel  grace, 

Invites  us  now  to  seek  his  face. 

‘He  wears  no  terrors  on  his  brow, 

He  speaks  in  love,  from  Zion,  now, 

It  is  the  voice  of  Jesus’  blood, 

Calling  poor  wand’rers  home  to  God. 

The  holy  Moses  quak’d  and  fear’d 
"When  Sinai’s  thundering  law  he  heard ; 

But  reigning  grace,  with  accent  mild, 

Speaks  to  the  sinner  as  a  child. 

“Hark!  how  from  Calvary  it  sounds; 

From  the  Redeemer’s  bleeding  wounds ; 

*  Pardon  and  grace  I  freely  give, 

Poor  sinner,  look  to  me  and  live.’ 

What  other  arguments  can  move 
The  heart  that  slights  a  Saviour’s  love 
Yet  till  Almighty  power  constrain, 

This  matchless  love  is  preach’d  in  vain. 

O  Saviour,  let  thy  power  be  felt, 

And  cause  each  stony  heart  to  melt  I 
Deeply  impress  upon  our  youth, 

The  light  and  force  of  gospel  truth.* 


248  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


When  Christ  was  crucified  the  veil  of  the 
temple  was  rent  in  twain,  thus  showing  that 
the  way  into  the  holiest  of  all — even  into  heaven 
was  now  opened  by  the  blood  that  flowed  from 
Immanuel’s  veins.  No  more  sacrifices  were 
required.  The  great  Antitype — the  bleeding 
Lamb  of  God  had  been  offered.  Sinner,  heaven 
is  now  opened  to  receive  you.  Vile  as  you  are, 
you  will  be  accepted  if  you  only  look  to  a  cru¬ 
cified  Jesus — if  you  only  trust  in  him  for  your 
whole  salvation.  0  will  you  not  embrace  that 
Saviour,  who  will  lead  you  to  glory  ?  Are  not 
the  joys  of  a  blissful  eternity  worth  striving  for? 

Then  u  give  all  diligence  to  make  your  call¬ 
ing  and  election  sure ;  for  if  ye  do  these  things, 
ye  shall  never  fall :  for  so  an  entrance  shall  be 
ministered  unto  you  abundantly  into  the  ever¬ 
lasting  kingdom  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ.”*  Seek  an  interest  in  Christ  now.  Then 
all  the  glories  of  heaven  will  be  yours.  If  a 
crucified  Christ  is  yours,  blessings  innumerable 
will  flow  around  your  path  to  immortality,  and 
through  the  merits  of  Immanuel  you  will  at 
length  gain  the  happy  shores  of  a  blessed  world, 
where  the  wicked  cease  from  troubling,  and 
where  the  weary  are  at  rest.  Glorious  rest ! 
Who  would  not  strive  to  obtain  it  ?  Christ  en« 


•  2  Peter  i,  10  11 


CHRIST.  ANI  HIM  CRJCIFIED.  249 


dured  tlie  painful  death  of  the  cross  to  purchase 
this  rest  for  his  people.  Christ  died,  a  sacrifice 
for  their  sins,  thus  paying  the  way  for  their 
eternal  salvation.  He  died,  a  sacrifice  for  the 
sins  of  a  lost  world.  “  Christ  was  once  offered 
to  bear  the  sins  of  many.”*  He  was  crucified  for 
a  “  multitude  which  no  man  can  number,  of  all 
nations,  and  kindreds,  and  people,  and  tongues.” 

Sinner,  repair  to  the  foot  of  the  cross,  and  roll 
your  burden  of  guilt  on  its  bleeding  victim — 
the  Lord  Jesus.  There  your  burden  will  be¬ 
come  light ;  and  there  is  room  for  you  also  tc 
stand  and  receive  the  balm  which  drops  from, 
the  top  of  that  bloody  tree  for  the  healing  of  a 
diseased  world.  Though  you  may  be  the  chief 
of  sinners,  yet  you  are  invited  to  come  to  that 
cross.  He  who  once,  in  his  infinite  love  for  you, 
bled  on  it,  himself  calls  you.  “  Come  unto  me,” 
says  the  Saviour,  in  language  as  compassionate 
as  ever  flowed  from  human  lips.  “  Come  unto 
me,  all  ye  that  labor  and  are  heavy  laden,  and 
I  will  give  you  rest.”f  Go,  heavy-laden  sinners, 
and  find  rest  in  Christ.  Enter  into  rest  now  by 
believing  in  him.  Kemember  that  your  in¬ 
iquities  were  laid  on  the  head  of  a  bleeding 
Saviour.  “The  Lord  hath  laid  on  him  the 
iniquity  of  us  all.”  “  He  was  wounded  for  our 

•  Hebrews  ix  23.  ]  Matt.,  xi,  28. 


250  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CKJCIFIED, 


transgressions,  he  was  bruised  for  our  iniquities , 
the  chastisement  of  our  peace  was  laid  upon 
him;  and  with  his  stripes  we  are  healed.”* 
“  Christ  our  passover  is  sacrificed  for  us.”f  His 
death  is  our  life ;  his  dear  wounds  and  bleeding 
side,  our  soundness  and  health.  How  God  is 
pacified,  and  the  sinner  saved  by  the  death  of 
Jesus. 

To  those  who  are  looking  to  a  crucified  Re¬ 
deemer,  and  relying  entirely  on  the  merits  of 
his  blood  for  life  and  salvation,  the  sweet  lan¬ 
guage  of  a  reconciled  God  now  is,  “  Comfort  ye, 
comfort  ye  my  people,  saith  your  God.  Speak 
ye  comfortably  to  Jerusalem,  and  cry  unto  her, 
that  her  warfare  is  accomplished,  that  her  in¬ 
iquity  is  pardoned ;  for  she  hath  received  of  the 
Lord’s  hand  double  for  all  her  sins.”;):  Blessed 
consolation !  This  is  the  language  of  our  gra¬ 
cious  Heavenly  Father,  and  oh !  how  reviving 
is  it  to  the  poor  penitent  sinner,  who  is  often 
oppressed  with  a  sense  of  guilt  and  borne  down 
with  the  apprehension  of  impending  wrath.  He 
is  now  enabled  to  shout  with  the  adoring  prophet 
in  that  sweet  song  “  0  Lord,  I  will  praise  thee : 
though  thou  wast  angry  with  me,  thine  anger  is 

*  Is.  liii.  5.  f  1  Cor.  v.  7. 

\  Christ’s  dying  for  us  is  as  much  in  God's  account  as  if  we 
had  twice  over  borne  tl  3  eternal  agonies  of  hell. — MoCheyne. 


CHRIST,  AND  Hitt  CRUCIFIED.  251 


turned  away,  and  thou  ccmfortedst  me.  Be¬ 
hold,  God  is  my  salvation ;  Twill  trust,  and  not 
be  afraid :  for  the  Lord  Jehovah  is  my  strength 
and  my  song ;  he  also  is  become  my  salvation.”* 
You  may  well  trust  a  crucified  Bedeemer  with 
your  soul  and  its  immortal  concern,  for  he  has, 
by  his  obedience  and  death,  effected  a  complete 
salvation  for  you.  He  breathed  out  his  precious 
life  for  you;  but  he  rose  again  for  your  justifi¬ 
cation.  He  “  was  delivered  for  our  offences,  and 
raised  again  for  our  justification. ”f  “I  lay 
down  my  life,”  says  Christ,  “for  the  sheep.’ 
And  again,  “  I  lay  down  my  life,  that  I  might 
take  it  again.  No  man  taketh  it  from  me,  but 
I  lay  it  down  of  myself.  I  have  power  to  lay 
it  down,  and  I  have  power  to  take  it  again. 
This  commandment  have  I  received  of  my 
Father.”;): 

Christ  was  indeed  laid  in  the  cold  and  silent 
tomb ;  but  God  did  not  suffer  his  Holy  One  to 
see  corruption.  The  sepulchre  could  not  hold 
Him.  He  triumphed  over  the  grave.  He  burst 
the  fetters  of  death,  and  in  a  glorious  form, 
ascended  to  heaven.  There  he  ever  lives  to  in¬ 
tercede  for  sinners ;  there  he  stands  with  open 
arms  to  receive  the  vilest  of  the  vile.  “  Where- 

*  Is,  xii.  ]  2.  f  Rim.  iv.  25. 


$  John  x.  15— 1Y  18- 


252  CHRIST  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


fore  lie  is  able  also  to  save  them  to  the  utter¬ 
most  that  come  unto  God  by  him,  seeing  he  ever 
liveth  to  make  intercession  for  them.”* 

Christ  is  not  only  able,  but  willing  to  sare 
sinners;  yea,  he  rejoices  in  their  salvation.  He 
delights  to  pluck  them  as  brands  from  the  burn¬ 
ing, — to  make  them  monuments  of  his  victorious 
grace, — trophies  of  his  redeeming  love, — pillars 
in  his  glorious  temple  above,  where  they  shall 
sing  the  song  of  redemption  through  all  eternity. 
“  He  shall  see  of  the  travail  of  his  soul,  and  shall 
be  satisfied.”f  He  “for  the  joy  that  was  set 
before  him  (the  joy  of  saving  sinners,)  endured 
the  cross,  despising  the  shame,  and  is  (now)  set 
down  at  the  right  hand  of  the  throne  of  God.”J 
A  crucified  Eedeemer  is  still  carrying  on  his 
blessed  work  of  saving  sinners.  His  salvation 
is  to  the  uttermost ;  none  need  despair. 

Come  to  Christ,  and  salvation  is  yours.  Be¬ 
fore  closing  this  chapter,  we  would  just  glance 
at  the  amazing  love  exhibited  in  the  death  of 
Christ.  Would  you  see  the  highest  manifesta¬ 
tion  of  eternal  love  ?  Then  contemplate  Christ 
crucified.  Here  is  a  grand  exhibition  of  infinite 
love.  In  the  crucifixion  of  the  glorious  Re¬ 
deemer,  the  brightest  love  that  ever  shone  on 


•  Helx  vii,  25. 


f  Heb.  xiL  2. 


|  Is.  liii.  11. 


CHRIST,  ANo)  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  253 


earth  is  displayed.  What  boundless  love  is  seen 
here !  The  infinite  love  of  Christ,  shining  in  all 
its  glory !  What  but  infinite  love  brought  him 
from  the  height  of  bliss,  to  the  depths  of  suffer¬ 
ings,  from  the  throne  of  heaven  to  the  cross  of 
Calvary !  What  but  infinite  love  made  him  a 
suffering  man  and  a  dying  Saviour !  What  but 
infinite  love  made  him  hasten  to  Jerusalem,  to 
suffer  for  sinners  !  What  but  infinite  love  led 
him  to  Gethsemane,  to  endure  those  agonies  for 
sinners,  where  his  blessed  form  was  covered  with 
bloody  sweat !  What  but  infinite  love  nailed 
him  to  the  cross,  there  to  bleed  and  die  for  sin¬ 
ners!  “Greater  love  hath  no  man  than  this, 
that  a  man  lay  down  his  life  for  his  friends.”* 
But  oh  !  the  greatest  wonder  in  the  universe  is, 
that  “  while  we  were  yet  sinners,  Christ  died  for 
us.”  Think  of  this,  wonder  at  it,  be  amazed  at 
it !  Christ,  the  glorious  Son  of  God,  dying  for 
you  a  vile  sinner,  a  rebel  worm!  0  admire 
that  love  which  pitied  you  in  your  lost  condition, 
visited  your  habitation,  and  raised  you  from  the 
depths  of  sin  and  suffering,  to  become  an  heir 
of  eternal  life,  and  of  eternal  glory.  “  For  when 
we  were  yet  without  strength,  in  due  time  Christ 
died  for  the  ungodly.  For  scarcely  for  a  right¬ 
eous  man  will  one  die ;  yet  peradventure  for  a 

*  John  xv.  18, 

23 


254  CHRIST,  AN1.  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


good  man  some  would  even  dare  to  die.  But 
God  commendeth  his  love  towards  us,  in  that 
while  we  were  yet  sinners  Christ  died  for  us.”* 
How  vast  is  this  love  I  Surpassing  love  of  a 
dying  Saviour !  thy  breadths  and  lengths  have 
never  been  compassed  by  a  human  thought ;  thy 
depths  never  fathomed  by  a  created  intelligence ; 
thy  heights  never  scanned  by  a  seraph’s  gaze. 

Dear  believer,  may  you,  the  object  of  divine 
love,  be  strengthened  with  might  by  the  spirit 
of  God  in  the  inner  man,  and  be  “able  to  com¬ 
prehend  with  all  saints  what  is  the  breadth,  and 
length,  and  depth,  and  height”  of  this  stupen¬ 
dous  love,  “  a  length  which  reaches  from  ever¬ 
lasting  to  everlasting;  a  breadth  that  encom¬ 
passes  every  intelligence  and  every  interest ;  a 
depth  which  reaches  the  lowest  state  of  human 
degradation  and  misery;  and  a  height  that 
throws  floods  of  glory  on  the  throne  and  crown 
of  Jehovah !” 

What  a  theme !  the  dying  love  of  the  crucified 
Son  of  God!  Well  may  angels  desire  tc  dwell 
on  this  mystery !  W ell  may  saints  be  enrap¬ 
tured  with  this  profound  subject!  What  heart 
is  so  obdurate  as  not  to  be  melted  by  its  touch¬ 
ing  exhibition,  or  so  benighted  as  not  to  be 
dazzled  by  its  glory !  How  wonderful !  that  he 


*  1  Rom.  y,  6,  8. 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  255 


who  kindled  up  the  stars  of  heaven,  should  take 
upon  him  our  nature,  and  die  in  our  room  and 
stead !  Amazing  love !  This  is  the  wonder  of 
wonders,  the  unsearchable  .riches  of  Christ : 

“Not  to  be  thought  of,  but  -with  tides  of  joy; 

Not  to  be  mentioned,  but  with  shouts  of  praise.” 

Truly,  the  love  of  Christ  passeth  knowledge.* 
Those,  and  those  alone,  who  have  stood  by  the 
cross  and  viewed  Immanuel  in  agonies  and 
death,  bleeding  and  dying  for  their  sins;  and 
have  felt  that  healing  balm  applied  to  their  dis¬ 
eased  souls;  have  seen  all  their  sins  washed 
away  with  the  blood  of  God,  their  ransom  paid, 
and  their  pardon  sealed,  will  realize  the  follow¬ 
ing  very  appropriate  and  beautiful  lines : 

“  In  evil  long  I  took  delight, 

Unawed  by  shame  or  fear; 

Till  a  new  object  struck  my  sight, 

And  stopp’d  my  wild  career. 

“I  saw  one  hanging  on  a  tree, 

In  agonies  and  blood ; 

Who  fix’d  his  languid  eyes  on  me, 

As  near  his  cross  I  stood. 

*  In  the  first  Part  of  this  work,  entitled  “Thoughts  on  the 
love  of  Christ  as  manifested  to  a  Lost  World,’'  we  have  en¬ 
deavored  to  throw  oxit  some  hints  on  this  delightfu.  theme. 
To  this  we  respectfully  refer  the  reader. 


256  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED* 


V. 


Sure,  never  to  my  latest  breath, 

Can  I  forget  that  look; 

It  seem’d  to  charge  me  with  his  death. 
Though  not  a  word  he  spoke. 

‘My  conscience  felt,  and  own’d  the  guilt, 
And  plunged  me  in  despair ; 

I  saw  my  sins  his  blood  had  spilt, 

And  help’d  to  nail  him  there. 

*  Alas!  I  knew  not  what  I  did, 

But  now  my  tears  are  vain ; 

Where  shall  my  trembling  soul  be  hid? 
For  I  the  Lord  have  slain. 

“  A  second  look  he  gave,  which  said, 

‘  I  freely  all  forgive ; 

This  blood  is  for  thy  ransom  paid; 

I’ll  die,  that  thou  may’st  live.’ 

“Thus,  while  his  death  my  sin  displays 
In  all  its  blackest  hue  ; 

(Such  is  the  mystery  of  grace) 

It  seals  my  pardon  too. 

With  pleasing  grief  and  mournful  joy 
My  spirit  now  is  filled  ; 

That  I  shoul  1  such  a  life  destroy, 

Yet  live  by  him  I  kill’d.  ’ 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  257 


CHAPTER  VI. 

9 

REDEMPTION  BY  CHRIST. 

“In  whom  we  have  redemption  through  his  c’ood,  tne 
forgiveness  of  sins,  according  to  the  riches  of  his  grace  r — 
Era.  i.  7. 

“Redemption!  what  a  glorious  plan; 

How  suited  to  our  need! 

The  grace  that  raises  fallen  man, 

Is  wonderful  indeed! 

‘’Twas  wisdom  form’d  the  vast  design, 

To  ransom  us  when  lost: 

And  love’s  unfathomable  mine 
Provided  all  the  cost. 

“Strict  Justice,  with  approving  look, 

The  holy  cov’nant  sealed  ; 

And  Truth  and  power  undertook 
The  whole  should  be  fulfill’d. 

% 

“Truth,  Wisdom,  Justice,  Pow’r  and  Love, 

In  all  their  glory  shone  ; 

When  Jesus  left  the  courts  above, 

And  died  to  save  his  own.” 

In  the  works  of  creation,  the  power,  wisdom 
and  goodness  of  God  are  admirably  displayed; 
but  in  the  far  greater  and  more  glorious  work 
of  human  redemption,  his  love  shines  in  full 
22* 


258  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


resplendency.  How  glorious  was  tlie  design  of 
God  to  redeem  a  lost  world  !  How  magnificent 
the  plan  of  eternal  redemption !  This  redemp¬ 
tion  originated  in  the  infinite  love  of  God  the 
Father  i  “  God  so  loved  the  world  that  he  gave 
his  only  begotten  Son,  that  whosoever  believeth 
in  him  should  not  perish,  but  have  everlasting 
life.”*  Jesus  Christ  is  the  gift  of  the  Father — 
a  precious  gift,  indeed,  to  a  lost  world.  He  is 
given  to  redeem  his  people;  given  that  whoso¬ 
ever  believeth  on  him  should  not  perish,  but  have 
eternal  life.  Jesus  Christ  is  therefore  called  the 
unspeakable  gift  of  God.  “  Thanks  be  unto 
God  for  his  unspeakable  gift.”f  In  the  counsels 
of  eternity,  Christ  was  chosen  to  be  the  Re¬ 
deemer  of  his  people.  God  gave  him  as  a  free 
gift  to  the  Church.  A  greater  gift  he  could  not 
bestow  upon  lost  sinners.  Had  the  Almighty 
given  us  ten  thousand  worlds  to  possess,  they 
would  have  been  as  nothing  in  comparison  with 
Jesus  Christ,  his  unspeakable  gift.  Oh!  how 
good  our  God  is.  How  great  is  his  power,  wis¬ 
dom  and  goodness,  as  manifested  in  the  creation 
of  the  universe;  but  oh!  how  amazing  is  his 
love,  as  exhibited  in  the  redemption  of  a  capti¬ 
vated  world, — in  sending  his  only  begotten  Sen 
tc  die  for  sinners ! 


*  John  iii.  16. 


f  2  Cor.  12.  16 


CHRIST,  AND  H.  M  CRUCIFIED.  259 


“  Thou  everlasting  lover 
Of  our  unworthy  race ! 

Thy  gracious  eye  survey d  us 
Ere  stars  were  seen  abov  e ; 

In  wisdom  thou  hast  mads  us, 

And  died  for  us  in  love.” 

The  gift  of  a  Saviour,  and  redemption  through 
his  blood,  afford  the  grandest  prospect  of  the 
eternal  love  of  God.  Around  this  sacred  theme, 
beam  glorious  rays  of  divine  love.  “God  is 
love and  redemption  is  but  the  effect  of  that 
love,  in  which  the  Deity  is  enshrined.  Love 
enters  into  the  very  essence  of  the  Divinity; 
and  we  see  that  it  has  blazed  forth  from  the 
eternal  throne,  and  shone  on  our  benighted 
world.  Yes,  the  glorious  light  has  shone  from 
heaven.  It  shines  all  around  us.  God  loves 
this  world.  Blessed  truth  !  Every  page  of  di¬ 
vine  revelation  gleams  with  his  love.  Kedemp- 
tion  is  full  of  it.  Here  contemplate  it.  “  In 
this  was  manifested  the  love  of  God  toward  us, 
because  that  God  sent  his  only  begotten  Son 
into  the  world,  that  we  might  live  through  him. 
Herein  is  love,  not  that  we  loved  God,  but  that 
he  loved  us,  and  sent  his  Son  to  be  the  propitia¬ 
tion  for  our  sins.”* 

Jesus  Christ  willingly  undertook  our  re- 
*  1  John  iv.  9  10. 


260  CHRIST,  &.N  D  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


demption.  He  cheerfully  offered  himself  to 
bear  our  sins,  to  bleed  on  the  altar  of  divine 
wrath,  to  redeem  us  from  eternal  misery.  O 
blessed  Saviour !  thy  love  never  had  a  begin¬ 
ning  ;  it  is  like  thyself,  eternal.  Love  always 
glowed  in  thy  blessed  bosom  for  a  sinful  world. 
All  the  glories  of  Paradise  could  not  keep  thee 
from  leaving  thy  throne  to  ransom  a  guilty  race. 
When  there  were  no  merciful  arms  to  embrace 
us ;  no  joyful  heaven  to  welcome  us ;  yea,  when 
we  were  lost  sinners,  thou,  blessed  Jesus,  didst 
pity  us,  and  hasten  on  the  wings  of  thy  love  to 
redeem  us,  to  bring  us  to  glory,  to  seat  us 
around  thy  throne,  :n  the  celestial  palace.  How 
wonderful  is  thy  love,  thou  Friend  of  Sinners ! 
VYhen  that  momentous  question  was  asked  by 
the  Almighty  in  the  counsels  of  eternity, 
“  Whom  shall  I  send,  and  who  will  go  for 
us?’7  Our  blessed  Saviour  came  forward  and 
said,  “Here  am  I;  send  me.77 

Christ  was  delighted  with  the  glorious  work 
of  redeeming  a  lost  world.  When  the  morning 
stars  sang  together,  and  all  the  immortal  sons 
of  God  shouted  for  joy  over  a  rising  world,  the 
Saviour  rejoiced  over  its  redemption.  Then  his 
“  delights  were  with  the  sons  of  men.77  Kedemp- 
tion  was  his  chosen  work,  and  in  its  execution  he 
took  the  greatest  delight.  Ages  rolled  away, 
and  earth  groaned  beneath  the  burden  of  its 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CR7CIFI3D.  261 


sin ;  idolatry  and  superstition  reigned  in  tri¬ 
umph  oyer  a  vast  empire;  moral  darkness, 
obscuring  the  light  of  eternal  day,  enshrouded 
the  human  race,  till  the  star  of  Bethlehem 
pointed  to  the  infant  Jesus  as  the  glorious  Re¬ 
deemer  of  his  people.  A  new  light  then  burst 
from  heaven  upon  them.  Christ,  “the  bright 
and  morning  star,”  that  issues  in  the  light  of  ?. 
blissful  eternity,  appeared  in  a  human  form,  and 
trod  the  vale  of  humanity.  He  willingly,  yea, 
joyfully,  left  his  throne  of  glory  to  bring  re¬ 
demption  to  us.  His  language  was,  “  Lo,  I 
come ;  in  the  volume  of  the  book  it  is  written 
of  me;  I  delight  to  do  thy  will,  0  my  God; 
yea,  thy  law  is  within  my  heart.”*  Our  lost, 
pitiful  condition  called  for  a  Redeemer.  When 
Christ  came  to  redeem  us,  we  were  on  the  verge 
of  everlasting  destruction. 

Man,  created  in  the  image  of  his  Maker,  was 
once  holy  and  happy.  But  sin  soon  entered  our 
fair  world,  and  spread  ruin  and  devastation  all 
around.  Pain  was  felt;  disease  and  suffering 
endured,  and  death  embraced  in  his  chilly  arms 
a  fallen  world.  Sin  brought  death  into  this 
world  and  all  our  misery.  “  By  one  man  sin 
entered  into  the  world,  and  death  by  sin  ;  and  so 
death  passed  upor.  all  men,  for  that  all  have 


* 


*  Pa  an*  xl.  7,  8. 


262  CHRIST  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


sinned.”*  How  deplorable  was  tlie  condition 
of  the  human  raco !  An  awful  eternity  of  suf¬ 
fering  opened  to  their  view.  Then  God  in  in¬ 
finite  love  said,  “Deliver  from  going  down  to 
the  pit ;  I  have  found  a  ransom.”  “  I  have 
found  David  my  servant ;  with  my  holy  oil  have 
I  anointed  him.” 

Jesus  Christ  was  set  apart  for  the  great  work 
of  redemption ;  and  at  the  appointed  time,  God 
sent  him  to  redeem  us  from  the  curse  of  a  broken 
law,  and  to  guide  us  safely  through  the  mazes 
of  a  bewildering  scene  to  the  Paradise  above. 
“  When  the  fulness  of  the  time  was  come,  God 
sent  forth  his  Son,  made  of  a  woman,  made  un¬ 
der  the  law,  to  redeem  them  that  were  under 
the  law,  that  we  might  receive  the  adoption  of 
sons.”f  To  redeem  lost  sinners  was  the  very 
object  for  which  the  Son  of  God  was  sent  into 
the  world ;  for  which  he  was  made  of  a  woman ; 
for  which  he  was  made  under  the  law.  0  match¬ 
less  grace !  0  sovereign  love !  that  God  sent 

his  Son,  his  only  Son,  to  save  sinners. 

Here  we  behold  a  way  of  access  opened  to 
perishing  sinners  through  the  redemption  that 
is  in  Christ  Jesus.  Blessed  Lord!  may  the 
knowledge  of  this  unspeakably  precious  redemp¬ 
tion  through  a  crucified  Bedeemer,  fill  my  soul 


/ 


**  Rom.  v.  12. 


f  Gal  v.  4,  5 


. . . . 1  . . . 1 - *--r- 

CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRJCIFIEI  263 


with  gratitude  and  praise.  “My  mouth  shall 
speak  the  praise  of  the  Lord ;  and  let  all  flesh 
bless  his  holy  name  forever  and  ever.”  Let  us 
see  how  the  redemption  of  sinners  was  effected. 
We  find  that  an  immense  sum  was  paid  for  their 
ransom ;  that  it  required  the  blood  of  God  to 
redeem  a  world  of  perishing  sinners.  “Feed 
the  Church  of  God,  which  he  hath  purchased 
with  his  own  blood.”* 

It  is  expressly  declared  that  “  without  shed¬ 
ding  of  blood  is  no  remission.”f  The  blood  of 
the  Deity  must  flow  or  else  a  world  be  irrecover¬ 
ably  lost.  But  the  Son  of  God  assumed  human 
nature,  and  freely  poured  out  his  blood  for  our 
redemption.  Oh  1  the  boundless  love  of  Christ, 
that  he  should  shed  his  precious  blood  for  sin¬ 
ners.  Oh!  the  infinite  efficacy  of  that  blood 
to  cleanse  from  all  sin.  “  The  blood  of  Jesus 
Christ  cleansed  us  from  all  sin.”:):  We  see  then 
that  our  redemption  is  by  price.  “Ye  are 
bought  with  a  price ;  therefore  glorify  God  in 
your  body  and  in  your  spirit,  which  are  God’s.”§ 
What  a  price  was  paid  for  our  redemption !  the 
precious  blood  of  Jesus,  the  Lamb  of  God !  “Ye 
know  that  ye  were  not  redeemed  with  corruptible 
things,  as  silver  and  gold  •  but  with  the  precious 

*  Acts  xx.  28.  f  Heb.  ix.  22. 

$  1  John  .7  §  1  Cor.  vi  20. 


/ 


264  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED 


blood  of  Christ,  as  of  a  lamb  without  blemish 
and  without  spot.’5* 

Costly  price  of  man’s  redemption;  the  in 
finitely  precious  blood  of  Christ!  O  my  soul, 
look  with  wonder  and  amazement  at  thy  ransom ! 
the  precious  life  and  the  precious  blood  of  Jesus, 
“Who  gave  himself  for  us,  that  he  might  re* 
deem  us  from  all  iniquity,  and  purify  unto  him¬ 
self  a  peculiar  people,  zealous  of  good  works.”f 
“  The  Son  of  Man  came,  to  give  his  life  a  ransom 
for  many.”J  It  is  a  blessed  consolation  for  the 
sinner  to  know  that  he  has  redemption  through 
the  blood  of  Christ, — that  he  has  access  to  a  holy 
God  through  a  crucified  Jesus.  How  sweet  are 
those  words,  “In  whom  we  have  redemption 
through  his  blood,  the  forgiveness  of  sins,  accord¬ 
ing  to  the  riches  of  his  grace.” 

The  blood  of  Christ  is  the  fountain-head  of  all 
felicity.  It  is  the  blessed  source  whence  eman¬ 
ates  the  living  water  of  life ;  whence  flow  pardon 
and  peace  to  a  guilty  world.  It  is  that  “river, 
the  streams  whereof  make  glad  the  city  of  GocL” 
Thirsty  soul,  come  and  quench  your  thirst  at 
the  fountain  of  life.  Dear  believer,  come  and 
draw  water  with  joy  out  of  the  wells  of  salvation. 
Long  before  a  bleeding  Saviour  hung  on  the 


*  1  Peter  i.  18,  19. 


t  Matt.  xx.  28. 


f  Titua  ii.  14. 


r 


CHKISr,  AND  HIM  CTiUCIFIED.  265 


cross,  it  was  prophesied,  “In  that  day  there 
shall  be  a  fountain  opened  to  the  house  of  David, 
and  to  the  inhabitants  of  Jerusalem  for  sin  and 
for  uncleanness.”  The  fountain  has  been  opened. 
The  rock  has  been  smitten.  Christ’s  side  has 
been  pierced.  The  sacred  streams  have  gushed 
from  the  cross — have  flowed  around  Calvary. 
When  our  Saviour  instituted  the  sacramental 
supper  he  said,  “  This  is  my  blood  of  the  New 
Testament,  which  is  shed  for  many  for  the  remis¬ 
sion  of  sins ;  drink  ye  all  of  it.”  This,  this  is 
the  fountain  of  joy — the  well  of  endless  life. 
Here,  sinners  may  drink  and  never  thirst  again. 
And  all  are  invited  to  come  to  the  waters.  The 
gospel  invitation  extends  to  all  classes  of  man¬ 
kind  without  exception ;  to  the  vile  as  well  as 
to  the  good ;  to  the  poor  as  well  as  to  the  rich ; 
to  the  young  as  well  as  to  the  old.  The  blessed 
call  stands  emblazoned  on  the  page  of  inspira 
tion.  With  the  authority  of  the  Majesty  of 
heaven,  I  repeat  it  to  a  thirsting  and  famishing 
world,  “  Ho,  every  one  that  thirsteth,  come  ye 
to  the  waters,  and  he  that  hath  no  money ;  come 
ye,  buy,  and  eat ;  yea,  come,  buy  wine  and  milk 
without  money  and  without  price.  Wherefore 
do  ye  spend  money  for  that  which  is  not  bread  ? 
and  your  labor  for  that  which  satisfieth  not? 
hearken  diligently  unto  me,  and  eat  ye  that 

which  is  good,  and  let  v,'ur  soul  delight  itself 
23 


266  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


in  fatness.  Incline  your  ear  and  come  unto  me; 
hear,  and  your  soul  shall  live ;  and  I  will  make 
an  everlasting  covenant  with  you,  even  the  sure 
mercies  of  David.”*  “Whosoever  will,  let  him 
take  the  water  of  life  freely.”f  Blessed  he  God 
for  that  “whosoever.”  None  are  forbidden  tc 
taste  “the  water  of  life.”  The  vilest  sinner 
may  come  to  the  “  waters  ”  and  drink,  and  live 
forever.  None  are  excluded  from  the  way  of 
salvation  through  the  atoning  blood  of  the 
Lamb  of  God.  What  encouragement  is  there 
for  all  to  come  to  the  bleeding  side  of  Immanuel, 
there  to  receive  the  pardon  of  sin,  obtain  eter¬ 
nal  life,  and  imbibe  immortal  joys!  Here  is 
redemption  offered  to  you.  Will  you  receive  it  ? 

Here  is  the  bread  and  water  of  life.  Will 
you  eat  that  which  is  good  and  let  your  soul  de¬ 
light  itself  in  fatness?  Will  jmu  drink  at  the 
fountain  of  immortality?  “Whoso  eateth  my 
flesh,”  says  Christ,  “and  drinketh  my  blood, 
hath  eternal  life ;  and  I  will  raise  him  up  at  the 
]ast  day.  For  my  flesh  is  meat  indeed,  and  my 
blood  is  drink  indeed.  He  that  eateth  my  flesh, 
and  drinketh  my  blood,  dwelleth  in  me,  and  I 
in  him!”  Oh!  who  would  not  come  and  be 
made  a  partaker  of  such  inestimable  blessings  as 
cluster  around  the  cross  of  a  loving  Redeemer. 


*  Is.  I\  1,  S 


f  Rev.  xxii.  17. 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  267 


Gere  is  all  that  a  dying  sinner  requires  for  his 
redemption.  Here  is  all  that  a  feeble  saint 
needs  for  his  comfort  and  support  during  his 
pilgrimage  through  a  bleak  and  barren  world 
which  is  far  from  his  home.  What  joys  are  to 
be  found  in  redemption  by  Christ  I  They  are 
unspeakable  and  full  of  glory.  They  flow  down 
the  narrow  stream  of  time  and  dilate  in  the 
boundless  ocean  of  eternity. 

Redemption  by  Christ  affords  sweet  peace  to 
the  soul.  The  blood  of  Jesus  poured  out  from 
the  cross  makes  peace  between  God  and  the 
sinner.  “Having  made  peace  through  the 
blood  of  his  cross.”*  It  brings  us  nigh  to  Grod. 
“Now  in  Christ  Jesus,  ye,  who  sometime  were 
far  off,  are  made  nigh  by  the  blood  of  ChristJf 
Precious  blood,  that  brings  us  so  near  our  heav¬ 
enly  Father!  This  is  “the  blood  of  sprinkling, 
that  speaketli  better  things  that  that  of  Abel/’j; 
This  is  the  blood  of  “Jesus  the  Mediator  of  the 
new  covenant.”  This  blood  satisfies  offended 
justice,  redeems  the  sinner  and  prepares  him 
for  glory.  The  blood  of  Jesus  atones  for  all 
sin.  There  is  redemption  for  all  sinners,  then, 
if  they  will  but  apply  to  the  atoning  blood  of 
Jesus  for  cleansing.  There  is  justification  to 

*  Col.  i.  20.  f  Epli.  ii  18 

}  Heb.  xii.  24. 


♦ 


268  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


acquit  all;  tliere  is  righteousness  t3  clothe  all. 
“Surely,”  shall  one  say,  “in  the  Lord  have  I 
righteousness  and  strength.  In  the  Lord  shall 
all  the  seed  of  Israel  be  justified,  and  shall 
glory.”*  The  sinner  rejoices  to  find  in  the 
Lord  Jesus,  complete  redemption.  “Being  now 
justified  by  his  blood,  we  shall  be  saved  from 
wrath  through  him.” 

Blessed  Saviour,  speak  a  word, 

Bid  all  my  sorrows  cease ; 

Be  thou  my  great  atoning  Lord, 

My  Righteousness  and  Peace. 


“  Oh,  let  thy  precious  blood  divine, 

Wash  all  my  sins  away  1 
Then  shall  my  soul  resplendent  shine, 
Through  heaven’s  eternal  day.” 

How  merciful  is  our  God!  How  free  is  his 
grace !  How  plentiful  is  that  redemption  which 
is  in  Christ  Jesus !  “Let  Israel  hope  in  the  Lord, 
for  with  the  Lord  there  is  mercy,  and  with  him 
is  plenteous  redemption.”  “  Being  justified 
freely  by  his  grace,  through  the  redemption  that 
is  in  Christ  J esus  ;  whom  God  hath  set  forth  to 
be  a  propitiation,  through  faith  in  his  blood,  to 
declare  his  righteousness  for  the  remission  of 


•  la.  xlv  24,  25. 


0 


CHKIST,  AND  HIM  C'RUCniEI  269 


sins  that  are  past,  through  the  forbearance  of 
God.”  0  sinner,  come  and  taste  the  joys  of  re¬ 
demption.  Exercise  a  lively  faith  in  the  aton¬ 
ing  blood  of  the  Son  of  God.  We  would  lead 
you  to  the  bleeding  sacrifice;  we  would  point 
you  to  the  cross  of  Christ  as  your  only  redemp¬ 
tion.  W e  would  tell  you  in  the  tenderest  lan¬ 
guage  that  there  is  redemption  for  you.  Christ 
is  made  unto  us  “redemption.”  Cleaving  to 
him  you  shall  be  redeemed  from  all  evil,  and 
finally  admitted  into  the  Paradise  of  God.  Our 
blessed  Saviour  has  obtained  eternal  redemp¬ 
tion  for  us,  and  he  will  soon  lead  us  to  glory. 

This  is  the  grand  object  of  Christ’s  sufferings 
and  death,  or  in  other  words,  of  his  redemption, 
to  bring  “  many  sons  unto  glory.”  Redemption 
by  Christ,  then,  is  an  eternal  deliverance  from 
sin  and  sufferings,  and  the  permanent  enjoyment 
of  the  highest  bliss  in  heaven.  All  the  happi¬ 
ness  of  the  redeemed  in  glory  results  from  re¬ 
demption  by  Christ.  All  the  future  felicity  of 
the  whole  household  of  faith,  through  eternity, 
will  flow  from  that  redemption  completed  on 
Calvary.  “  He  sent  redemption  unto  his  people; 
he  hath  commanded  his  covenant  forever ;  holy 
and  reverend  is  his  name.”  By  shedding  his 
own  blood  the  Redeemer  has  purchased  ever¬ 
lasting  salvation  for  his  people.  “  Christ  being 
come  a  high  priest  of  good  things  to  comer  by  a 
23* 


! 


270  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED 


greater  and  more  perfect  tabernacle,  not  made 
with,  hands ;  neither  by  the  blood  of  goats  and 
calves,  but  by  his  own  blood,  he  entered  in  once 
into  the  holy  place,  having  obtained  eternal  re¬ 
demption  for  us.”*  Here  we  may  see  the  eter¬ 
nal,  matchless  love  of  Christ,  in  shedding  his 
precious  blood  for  our  redemption.  Love  was 
the  impelling  motive  that  led  him  to  undertake 
our  redemption ;  and  love  enabled  him  to  ex 
claim,  “It  is  finished.”  Love  made  him  offer 
himself  a  sacrifice  for  our  sins.  “Christ  also 
hath  loved  us,  and  hath  given  himself  for  us, 
an  offering  and  a  sacrifice  to  God,  for  a  sweet¬ 
smelling  savourf  ” 

Christ  calls  the  church  “his  love.”  “How 
fair  and  how  pleasant  art  thou,  0  love,  for  de¬ 
lights  !”J  He  loved  the  church  so  ardently  as  to 
redeem  it  with  his  own  blood.  “  Christ  also 
loved  the  church,  and  gave  himself  for  it ;  that 
he  might  sanctify  and  cleanse  it  with  the  wash¬ 
ing  of  water  by  the  word ;  that  he  might  present 
it  to  himself  a  glorious  church,  not  having  spot 
or  wrinkle,  or  any  such  thing  ;  but  that  it  should 
be  holy  and  without  blemish.”§ 

Christ’s  love  to  the  church  is  eternal.  He  says, 
“  I  have  loved  thee  with  an  everlasting  love ; 

*  Heb  ix.  11,  12.  f  Eph.  y.  2. 

X  Caxt  vii,  6.  §  Eph.  v.  25,  27. 


I 


l 


CHRIST  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  27- 


cherefore  with  loving  kindness  have  I  drawn 
tliee.”*  And  again,  “  Since  thou,  wast  precious 
in  my  sight  thou  hast  been  honorable,  and  I 
have  loved  thee.”  Paul  thus  celebrates  the  re¬ 
deeming  love  of  Christ  to  his  church,  “  Ye  know 
the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  though 
he  was  rich,  yet  for  your  sakes  he  became  poor 
that  ye  through  his  poverty  might  be  rich.”f 


272  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


CHAPTER  YIN 

THE  NEW  SONG  IN  GLORY. 

“And  they  snng  a  new  song.” — Rev.  v.  9. 

The  redeeming  love  of  Christ  will  be  cele¬ 
brated  through  eternity.  In  heaven,  redemption 
by  Christ  will  be  the  grand  theme,  the  sweet 
Bong  of  the  family  of  God.  It  is  that  u  New 
Song”  which  all  the  redeemed  sing  in  glory.  It 
will  have  no  dying  cadence  through  the  revolv¬ 
ing  ages  of  a  blessed  eternity.  It  will  be  always 
new ;  yes,  when  ages  countless  as  the  drops  of 
the  ocean,  shall  have  rolled  away,  the  song  of 
redemption  will  be  as  new  to  the  redeemed  as 
when  the  celestial  mansions  first  echoed  with  its 
pealing  strains. 

In  the  house  of  his  pilgrimage,  redemption 
was  the  believer’s  song,  and  in  that  house,  not 
made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens,  it  will 
be  his  sweet  song  through  countless  ages.  0 
blessed  thought!  who  will  not  now  commence 
the  “  New  Song”  of  Kedemption  !  Will  you  not 
chant  songs  to  Him  who  died  to  ransom  you 
from  eternal  woe  I  The  songs  of  the  grateful 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  273 


followers  of  the  Lamb  never  end.  The  saints 
will  find  eternal  employment  in  praising  Christ 
for  that  precious  redemption  he  has  effected  by 
his  death.  The  notes  of  praise  to  a  crucified 
Redeemer  sound  through  the  narrow  limits  of 
time  and  the  rolling  ages  of  eternity.  In  heaven, 
Christ  will  be  eternally  admired  as  the  Lamb 
that  was  slain  for  the  redemption  of  sinners. 
There  he  stands  in  the  “  midst  of  the  throne”  as 
the  Lamb  of  God  that  was  once  wounded,  and 
bruised,  and  slain. 

“And  I  beheld,”  says  John,  “and  lo,  in  the 
midst  of  the  throne,  and  of  the  four  beasts,  and 
in  the  midst  of  the  elders,  stood  a  Lamb  as  it 
had  been  slain.”*  Every  eye  shall  see  him  there. 
Every  tongue  shall  praise  him  there.  All  the 
redeemed  shall  shout,  “  Worthy  is  the  Lamb  that 
was  slain.”  This  will  be  the  burden  of  the 
“New  Song.”  This  will  sound  the  loudest 
through  heaven.  “Worthy  is  the  Lamb  that 
was  slain. ”f  There  will  be  none  brought  to 
heaven  but  those  who  will  sing  eternal  praises 
to  the  Lamb  for  the  wonders  of  redemption. 

*  Rev.  v.  6. 

t  Note — There  will  be  much  in  Jesus  to  admire  when  we 
shall  see  him  a3  he  is.  But  that  which  will  draw  out  the 
loudest  notes  of  the  new  song  will  be  the  sight  of  the  prints 
of  the  nail3,  and  of  the  wound  in  his  side.  “  Thou  wast  slain, 
and  hast  redeemed  to  God  by  thy  blood/’ — MoCheynk. 


274  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


There  will  be  no  mute  tongue  in  glory.  All 
voices  and  all  hearts  shall  unite  in  singing  the 
New  Song.  When  the  portals  of  heaven  were 
opened  to  the  beloved  John,  and  the  glory  of 
the  New  Jerusalem  came  beaming  through  those 
pearly  gates,  he  heard  the  music  of  Zion ;  and 
what  was  it  but  the  New  Song  of  redemption  ? 
“And  they  sung  a  new  song,  saying,  Thou 
art  worthy  to  take  the  book,  and  to  open  the 
seals  thereof ;  for  thou  wast  slain,  and  hast  re¬ 
deemed  us  to  God  by  thy  blood  out  of  every 
kindred,  jand  tongue,  and  people,  and  nation ; 
and  hast  made  us  unto  our  God  kings  and 
priests ;  and  we  shall  reign  on  the  earth.”* 

We  find  that  a  mighty  multitude  will  be  con¬ 
gregated  in  glory  to  sing  the  song  of  redemption ; 
some  from  “  everjr  kindred,  and  tongue,  and 
people.”  “  After  this  I  beheld,  and  lo,  a  great 
multitude,  which  no  man  could  number,  of  all 
nations,  and  kindreds,  and  people,  and  tongues, 
stood  before  the  throne,  and  before  the  Lamb, 
clothed  with  white  robes,  and  palms  in  their 
hands ;  and  cried  with  a  loud  voice,  saying,  sal¬ 
vation  to  our  God  which  sitteth  upon  the  throne, 
and  unto  the  Lamb.”f  What  a  glorious  com¬ 
pany  will  that  be  who  shall  eternally  stand  on 
the  celestial  Mount  Zion  flow  sweet  will  be 


*  Rev.  v.  9  10 


f  Rev.  vii.  9,  10. 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  275 


/ 

their  song !  How  rapturous  their  delight !  How 
ecstatic  their  joy!  But  reader,  pause,  and  ask, 
“  Am  I  to  mingle  among  that  blessed  host  who 
never  cease  to  praise  God  and  the  Lamb  ?”  “  Is 
the  new  song  of  redemption  to  be  my  sweet 
song  above  ?” 

Live  for  eternity — live  for  Christ  now,  and 
you  will  soon  join  all  the  redeemed  family  of 
God,  in  songs  that  will  never  end.  With  your 
robes  washed  white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb, 
you  shall  be  presented  faultless  before  the  throne 
of  God,  to  praise  Him  who  loved  you  and 
washed  you  from  your  sins  in  his  own  blood. 
Then  will  you  see  youT  glorious  Redeemer,  who 
will  always  be  to  you  the  centre  of  heavenly  at¬ 
traction.  How  will  your  grateful  heart  burn 
with  seraphic  love  to  Him  whose  blood  brought 
you  such  heavenly  bliss,  and  whose  merits 
crowned  you  with  such  inconceivable  glory ! 
Your  hearts  will  overflow  with  more  joy  than 
language  can  express.  You  will  then,  in  the 
light  of  heaven,  see  that  redemption  by  Christ 
is  a  precious  work — that  rich,  inestimable  bless¬ 
ings  flow  from  the  atoning  blood.  Be  suie  not 
to  tratnple  that  blood  underfoot  now.  You  will 
never  be  crowned  with'  glory  without  your 
robes  are  washed  white  in  the  blood  of  the 
Lamb.  You  must  become  interested  in  the 
death  of  Christ,  before  you  can  learn  that  "  new 


276  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


song,”  which  none  but  the  redeemed  sing. 
“  And  they  sung  as  it  were  a  new  song  before 
the  throne,  and  before  the  four  beasts,  and  the 
elders :  and  no  man  could  learn  that  song  but 
the  hundred  and  forty  and  four  thousand,  which 
were  redeemed  from  the  earth.”*  “  And  they 
sing  the  song  of  Moses,  and  the  song  of  the 
Lamb.’’f 

Oh  the  sublime  vision  of  heavenly  worship 
as  vouchsafed  to  John  when  banished  to  the 
lonely  Patmos,  a  writer;):  whom  we  admire  has 
the  following  lofty  expressions :  *'  The  singers 
were  those  hundred  and  fort}' -four  thousand, 
and  they  sung  a  new  song,  and  as  they  struck 
their  harps,  together  thus  they  sung :  ‘  Worthy 
is  the  Lamb  that  was  slain,  to  receive  power  and 
riches,  and  wisdom,  and  strength,  and  honor, 
and  glory,  and  blessing.’  And  with  one  voice 
the  innumerable  host  chanted  the  heavenly  dox- 
ology,  ‘Blessing,  and  honor,  and  glory,  and 
power,  be  unto  him  that  sitteth  on  the  throne, 
and  to  the  Lamb  forever;  and  back  returned 
the  long  ‘  Amen.’  Again  and  again  was  it  taken 

*  Rev.  xiv.  3.  f  Rev,  xv.  3“ 

%  Rev.  J.  T.  Headley,  a  beautiful  writer,  author  of  the 
u  Sacred  Mountains,”  a  splendid  production,  without  which 
no  library  can  be  considered  complete,  Mr.  Headley  is  the 
author  of  many  other  valuable  works  well  known  to  the 
public. 


I 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  277 


up  and  echoed  from  rank  to  rank  along  that 
celestial  mountain,  till  it  came  rolling  back  with 
all  the  strength  of  archangel  voices  full  on 
the  throne  of  God.  The  theme,  the  song  was 
new — it  was  the  song  of  Redemption.  David 
stood  there  sweeping  a  harp  far  more  melodious 
and  tuneful  than  the  one  he  swept  with  such  a 
master  hand  on  earth.  Elijah  poured  his  soul 
of  fire  into  it.  Isaiah  gave  it  a  loftier  echo. 
The  martyrs,  those  witnesses  for  the  truth  who 
had  passed  through  the  flames  to  their  reward, 
furnished  new  accessions  to  its  strength ;  for  all 
the  ransomed  of  the  lord  were  there.  Aaron 
went  up  thither  from  the  top  of  Hor,  and  Moses 
from  Pisgah.  Elijah’s  chariot  of  fire  never 
stopped  till  its  burning  wheels  rested  on  that 
heavenly  mount,  and  thither  Christ  ascended 
from  the  hill  of  Olives.  Thus  the  redeemed 
have  flocked  one  after  another  to  the  Mount  of 
God,  and  there  they  shall  continue  together  until 
the  glorious  assembly  stands  complete,  and  ‘  God 
is  all  and  in  all.’  ”  How  will  the  arches  of  hea¬ 
ven  resound  with  that  11  n^w  song”  when  all  the 
♦edeemed  are  gathered  home  by  the  blood  of 
Christ ! 

“And  what  in  yonder  realms  above, 

Is  ransom’d  man  ordain’d  to  be? 

With  honor,  holiness  and  .ove, 

No  seraph  morr  alorn’d  than  1  e. 

24 


f 


278  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


“Nearest  the  throne,  and  first  in  song, 

Man  shall  his  hallelujahs  raise  ; 

While  wond’ring  angels  round  him  throng, 
And  swell  the  chorus  of  his  praise.” 


H  ow  many  redeemed  sinners  are  now  before 
the  throne,  singing  everlasting  songs  to  Him 
who  died  for  them  on  Calvary  !  The  redeemed 
are  fast  flocking  to  their  everlasting  home  in 
glory.  All  the  ransomed  of  the  Lord  shall  soon 
11  return,  and  come  to  Zion  with  songs  and  ever¬ 
lasting  joy  upon  their  heads:  they  shall  obtain 
joy  and  gladness,  and  sorrow  and  sighing  shall 
flee  away.” 

Prophets  and  apostles  and  martyrs,  the  great 
and  good  of  every  age  and  nation,  are  already 
in  Zion  above,  and  redemption  is  their  song. 
Those  immortal  divines,  Baxter,  Bunyan,  Flavel, 
Owen,  Henry,  Doddridge,  Watts,  Edwards,  Pay- 
son,  Martyn,  Chalmers,  the  lovely  McCheyne, 
the  venerable  Alexander,*  have  ascended  to 
swell  the  throne,  in  singing  “Worthy  is  the 
Lamb.”  This  song  breathes  on  every  lip  in 
glory,  and  bursts  froin  every  heart  there.  One 


*  This  distinguished  servant  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  who  lately 
went  to  glory,  was  one  of  the  most  faithful  and  devoted 
ministers  of  the  gospel  the  world  has  ever  witnessed.  His 
memory  will  be  embalmed  in  the  hearts  of  thousands,  while 
the  world  lasts ;  and  his  works  will  be  preserved  as  a  pre¬ 
cious  legacy  to  the  Church 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  279 


song  emj  loys  all  the  tongues  of  the  redeemed  in 

the  mansions  of  bliss. 

* 

“  Ten  thousand,  thousand  are  their  tongues, 

But  all  their  songs  are  one.” 

Dear  follower  of  the  Lamb,  we  shall  all  shortly 
join  with  the  family  of  God  in  this  “  new  song,” 
in  mansions  of  Glory.  Then,  lift  up  your  head 
with  joy ;  “for  your  redemption  draweth  nigh.” 
The  hour  of  glory  will  soon  be  at  hand. 

“Oh,  glorious  hour,  it  comes  with  speed  1 
When  we,  from  sin  and  darkness  freed, 

Shall  see  the  God  who  died  for  man, 

And  praise  him  more  than  angels  can.” 

Life  is  fast  hastening  away.  Time  is  swiftly 
flying.  Eternity  is  at  the  door.  You  are  just 
on  the  threshold  of  glory — just  within  sight  of 
Paradise.  The  gates  of  the  celestial  city  are 
about  to  open  for  your  reception,  and  your  Sav¬ 
iour  is  ready  to  pronounce,  that  blessed  invita¬ 
tion,  “Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant, 
enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord.  Come,  ye 
blessed  of  my  Father,  inherit  the  kingdom  pre¬ 
pared  for  you  from  the  foundation  of  the  world.” 

Does  not  a  sight  of  all  this  glory  make  you 
long  to  obtain  it  ? '  Then  press  onward ;  press 
toward  the  mark  for  the  prize  of  the  high  call¬ 
ing  of  God  in  Chris';  Jesus  One  step  more,  and 


280  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


glory  will  beam  upon  your  eye,  and  the  joys  of 
heaven  captivate  your  heart,  and  the  music  of 
Paradise  charm  your  ear.  The  hour  wdl  soon 
come  when  the  shining  mansions  shall  receive 
you,  when  an  exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of 
glory  shall  crown  you;  when  you  shall  begin 
that  “  new  s:>ng”  which  you  learned  on  earth ; 
when  redemption  by  Christ  shall  be  your  unend¬ 
ing  theme.  Oh !  this  is  heaven,  where  all  rest 
in  the  bosom  of  God ;  where  all  behold  the  Re¬ 
deemer’s  face ;  where  all  are  singing  that  won¬ 
drous  M  new  song”  which  fills  heaven  with  joy, 
and  eternity  with  undying  melody,  as  it  ascends 
In  pealing  notes  from  the  mansions  of  glory, 

“  Unto  him  that  loved  us,  and  washed  us  from 
our  sins  in  his  blood,  and  hath  made  us  kings 
and  priests  unto  God  and  his  Father;  to  him  be 
glory  and  dominion  forever  and  ever.  Amen  ’ 
You  will  soon  begin  your  everlasting  song  in 
the  upper  sanctuary.  “Worthy  is  the  Lamb 
that  was  slain  to  receive  power,  and  riches,  and 
wisdom,  and  strength,  and  honor,  and  glory, 
and  blessing.  Blessing,  and  honor  and  glory, 
and  power,  be  unto  him  that  sitteth  upon  the  . 
throne  and  unto  the  Lamb  forever  and  ever.” 

“  Oh,  holy,  holy  Lord  1 

Whom  angel  hosts  adore  ; 

When  shall  I  join  in  raptured  strains, 

The  bright  celestial  choir? 


HEIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  281 


“In  pity  new  a  sinful  worm, 

A  pris'ner  here  below  ; 

A  pilgrim  journeying  through  the  land 
0  darkness,  sin  and  woe. 

*  Ten  thousand  voices  roxind  thy  throne 

Unite  in  hymns  divine  ; 

‘Salvation  to  the  Lamb!’  they  cry, 

As  high  in  bliss  they  shine. 

*  Fain  would  I  now  begin  the  song. 

To  thee  my  God  and  friend ; 

Then  mingle  with  the  choirs  abov<^ 

In  which  ne’er  end.” 


\ 


282  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 

0 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

CHRIST  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED,  THE  SUM  AND  SUBSTANCE 

OF  THE  GOSPEL. 

“Now  of  the  things  which  we  have  spoken,  this  is  the 
sum.”— IIeb.  viii  1. 


The  gospel  is  glad  tidings  of  great  joy  to  a 
lost  world.  It  brings  immortality  within  the 
reach  of  dying  sinners.  It  opens  untold  glories 
to  them.  It  brings  life  and  immortality  to  light. 
Dispelling  the  moral  darkness  of  a  fallen  world,  * 
it  points  to  an  eternal  day  of  light  and  glory 
*  Delivering  from  eternal  misery  the  condemned 
sinner,  it  reveals  to  him  the  way  of  salvation ; 
leads  him  in  the  path  of  righteousness,  and 
finally  brings  him  to  the  enjoyment  of  endless 
felicity  in  the  heavenly  world.  Blessed  gospel 
well  mayest  thou  be  styled  “  good  tidings  of 
great  joy.”  What  blessings  flow  in  the  gospel 
channel  to  exhilarate  a  thirsty  world. 

It  is  the  gospel  that  makes  the  wilderness  and 
the  solitary  place  to  be  glad,  and  the  desert  to 
rejoice,  and  blossom  as  the  rose;  that  makes 
the  parched  ground  to  become  a  pool,  and 


/ 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  283 


the  thirsty  land  springs  of  water.*  How  re¬ 
freshing  to  the  weary  child  of  God,  to  lie  down 
in  green  pastures;  to  be  led  beside  the  still 
waters  of  gospel  grace !  How  cheering  to  say, 
in  a  world  of  sin  and  sorrow  and  disappoint¬ 
ment,  with  the  sweet  Psalmist,  “Surely  good¬ 
ness  and  mercy  shall  follow  me  all  the  days  of 
my  life ;  and  I  will  dwell  in  the  house  of  the 
Lord  forever.”  Who  can  describe  the  blessed¬ 
ness,  the  glory  that  are  contained  in  this  single 
verse !  Who  can  enumerate  the  blessings  that 
flow  from  the  gospel  of  God ! 

In  this  blessed  gospel,  “  mercy  and  truth  are 
met .  together ;  righteousness  and  peace  have 
kissed  each  other.”  The  blood  of  Jesus,  through 
the  gospel,  proclaims  peace  on  earth  and  glory 
in  heaven, — such  peace  as  passeth  all  under¬ 
standing,  and  such  glory  as  the  human  heart 
has  never  conceived.  We  now  turn  to  notice 
the  source  whence  all  gospel  blessings  flow.  It 
is  in  Christ  and  nim  crucified  that  they  originate. 
This  is  the  blessed  origin  of  all  goodness,  the 
inexhaustible  fountain  of  love  to  guilty,  rebel¬ 
lious  man.  In  the  gospel,  a  bleeding  Saviour  is 
ucld  up  in  a  manner  so  conspicuous  as  to  attract 
the  attention,  and  excite  the  admiration  of  all 
anxious  inquirers  after  salvation.  They  look  to 


*  Isa.  xxxr. 


284  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CiUCI/IED. 

him  and  are  lightened  of  the  burden  of  sin  and 
guilt.  His  grace  is  so  free  and  his  love  so  un¬ 
bounded,  that  all  may  look  and  be  saved.  And 
all  that  look  to  Jesus  and  renounce  their  own 
righteousness  shall  be  saved.  A  bleeding  Jesua 
is  the  sum  of  Christianity,  and  the  only  hope  of 
a  lost  world.  In  him  all  fulness  dwells,  around 
him  all  blessings  flow,  from  him  all  glories 
emanate. 


“Dear  Jesus,  fill  my  soul 
With  holiness  and  peace ; 

Arise  with  healing  in  thy  wings., 

Thou  Sun  of  Righteousness. 

“  May  all  beneath  the  sky 
Usurp  my  heart  no  more; 

Be  thou  my  first,  my  chief  delight, 

My  soul’s  unbounded  store. 

“In  thee  all  treasures  lie, 

From  thee  all  blessings  flow; 

Thou  art  the  bliss  of  saints  above. 

The  joy  of  saints  below. 

“  Oh,  come,  and  make  me  thine, 

A  sinner  saved  by  grace  ; 

Then  shall  I  sing  with  loudest  strains 
In  heaven,  thy  dwelling-place. 

*  When  standing  round  the  throne, 
Amid  the  ransomed  throng, 

Thy  praise  shall  be  my  sweet  emp  oy, 
While  h  -re  insp’res  my  song” 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  285 


Christ,  and  him  crucified,  is  the  sum  and  sub¬ 
stance  of  tlie  gospel.  What  is  the  gospel  but  a 
glorious  revelation  of  Christ  crucified,  a  gracious 
plan  of  salvation  through  the  merits  of  Im¬ 
manuel’s  blood !  It  is  only  through  a  crucified 
Redeemer  that  we  can  be  admitted  into  heaven. 
Our  salvation  is  intimately  connected  with  him. 
Take  away  Christ,  and  you  bury  our  immortal 
hopes  in  the  dust;  you  demolish  the  glorious 
superstructure  of  gospel  truth. 

If  there  had  been  no  Saviour  proclaimed,  there 
would  have  been  no  salvation  for  perishing 
men, — no  gospel  of  the  grace  of  God.  But 
Christ  is  revealed  in  the  gospel  as  the  great 
object  of  our  faith.  There  he  stands  as  the 
great  centre  of  all  holy  attractions, — as  the  sum 
of  all  our  happiness.  In  the  gospel  revelation, 
Christ  is  all.  The  Bible  is  full  of  him.  From 
Genesis  to  Revelation,  he  is  set  forth  in  all  the 
loveliness  of  his  character,  and  in  all  the  rich¬ 
ness  of  his  grace  to  dying  men.  Enraptured 
prophets  dwell  on  him,  inspired  poets  sing  of 
him,  and  ardent,  zealous  apostles  blaze  his  name 
abroad. 

The  grand  design  of  a  divine  revelation  is  to 
exhibit  Christ  and  him  crucified  as  the  only 
hope  of  a  lost  world.  Christ  is  the  glory  of  the 
Scriptures,  as  the  sun  is  the  glory  of  the  firma¬ 
ment.  “To  tak^  Christ  from  the  Bible, v  says  a 


286  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED 


writer  cf  other  days,  “would  be  like  blotting 
the  sun  from  the  firmament.”  It  will  avail  no¬ 
thing  what  discoveries  we  make,  if  we  find  not, 
to  our  present  and  eternal  welfare,  Ilim  of  whom 
Moses  and  the  prophets  wrote.  The  key  of 
knowledge  will  be  of  little  use,  unless  it  opens 
to  us  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ.  “  These 
things  are  written  that  ye  might  believe  that 
Jesus  is  the  Christ,  the  son  of  Cod ;  and  that  be¬ 
lieving,  ye  might  have  life  through  his  name.” 
The  sum  and  substance  of  all  evangelical  preach¬ 
ing  is,  Christ  and  him  crucified.  “  We  preach 
Christ  crucified,”  says  one  of  the  greatest  minis¬ 
ters  of  Jesus  Christ.  Christ  crucified  was  the 
substance  of  Paul’s  preaching.  With  ardent, 
burning  eloquence  he  dwelt  on  this  glorious 
theme.  This  was  the  grand  topic  of  all  his  writ¬ 
ing  and  preaching.  He  set  nothing  else  before 
the  people  but  Christ  crucified.  He  desired  tc 
know  nothing  more,  for  he  knew  that  nothing 
more  was  essential  to  salvation  than  the  saving 
knowledge  of  Christ,  and  him  crucified.  He 
caught  this  glorious  truth,  and  published  it  to  a 
dying  world.  He  summoned  all  his  energies  to 
understand  this  deep  mystery.  This  was  bis 
study.  “  I  determined,”  says  he  “  not  to  know 
any  thing  among  you,  save  Jesus  Christ,  and  him 
crucified.”  Christ  and  him  crucified,  is  the  very 
fife  of  the  gospel.  He-e  all  the  lines  of  evan- 


CHRIST,  ANT  HIM  CRUCIflED.  287 


gelical  truth  meet  in  one  central  point.  Blessed 
be  God,  for  a  crucified  Saviour  I  0  my  soul, 
put  thy  trust  in  him.  Study  Christ,  and  him 
crucified.  lie  is  the  life  of  the  soul ;  the  salva¬ 
tion  of  the  sinner.  Search  the  Scriptures ;  for 
they  testify  of  him;  yes,  “  the  testimony  of  Jesus 
is  the  spirit  of  prophecy.’7*  Prophets  speak  of 
him  as  the  bleeding  sacrifice  for  sin.  The  Old 
Testament  points  to  him  as  the  Lamb  of  God 
that  taketli  away  the  sin  of  the  world.  The  Hew 
Testament  is  replete  with  the  history  of  a  cruci¬ 
fied  Saviour.  “  Of  gospel  history,  what  is  the 
sum  ?  Christ  crucified.  What  do  the  four  evan¬ 
gelists  relate  ?  They  all,  for  substance,  tell  the 
same  story  ;  and  that  story  is  rightly  termed  the 
gospel.  It  is  the  history  of  the  cross.  In  the 
mouth  of  two  or  three  witnesses  every  word  is 
established.'  God  has  graciously  given  us  four, 
all  inspired  by  his  Holy  Spirit,  to  relate  the 
birth,  the  life,  the  labors,  the  preaching,  the  mir¬ 
acles,  the  sufferings,  and  the  death  of  Jesus. 
They  tell  us  wliat  he  said,  what  he  did,  and 
what  lie  endured  from  the  powers  of  darkness, 
from  the  hands  of  men,  and  from  the  sword  of 
justice.  They  inform  us  how  he  was  at  last 
condemned,  and  nailed  to  the  tree,  for  the  testi¬ 
mony  which  he  bore  hs  the  truth,  that  he  was 


*  IUv  xix.  1(X 


288  CHRIST,  A.VD  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


the  only  begotten  Son  of  God,  and  that  the  same 
divine  honors  were  due  to  him.  as  to  the  Father.” 
What  a  long  series  of  prophecies  was  accom¬ 
plished  in  Christ,  and  him  crucified ! 

The  Spirit  of  God  in  all  the  prophets,  testified 
“beforehand  the  sufferings  of  Christ,  and  the 
glory  that  should  follow.”  Christ  is  the  sum  of 
prophecy.  To  the  two  disciples  going  to  Emmaus, 
he  explained  the  prophecies  relating  to  himself, 
lie  says  to  them,  “  0  fools,  and  slow  of  heart  to 
believe  all  that  the  prophets  have  spoken ! 
Ought  not  Christ  to  have  suffered  these  things, 
and  to  enter  into  his  glory  ?  And  beginning  at 
Moses,  and  all  the  prophets,  he  expounded  unto 
them  in  all  the  scriptures  the  things  concerning 
himself.”  And  again,  “  These  are  the  words 
which  I  spake  unto  you,  while  I  was  yet  with 
you,  that  all  things  must  be  fulfilled  which  were 
written  in  the  law  of  Moses,  and  in  the  prophets, 
and  in  the  Psalms,  concerning  me.  Then  opened 
he  their  understanding,  that  they  might  under¬ 
stand  the  Scriptures.  And  said  unto  them, 
thus  it  is  written,  and  thus  it  behooved  Christ 
to  suffer,  and  to  rise  from  the  dead  the  third 
day.”  The  life,  the  sufferings,  and  the  death  of 
Messiah  were  all  foretold  in  glowing  larguag©, 
by  the  prophets  of  God.  Moses  wrote  of  Him. 
Job  knew  that  his  Redeemer  lived.  Abraham 
got  a  glimpse  of  Christ’s  day,  and  it  gladdened 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  289 


his  heart.  Jacob  spoke  of  the  comir  g  of  Shiloh, 
the  Prince  of  Peace.  Isaiah,  transported  into 
future  times,  cries:  “Unto  us  a  child  is  born; 
unto  us  a  Son  is  given,  and  the  government 
shall  be  upon  his  shoulder  ;  and  his  name  shall 
be  called  Wonderful,  Counsellor,  the  Mighty 
God,  the  Everlasting  Father,  the  Prince  of 
Peace.”  Micah  foretells  the  place  of  his  birth, 
a  But  thou  Bethlehem  Ephratah  though  thou 
be  little  among  the  thousands  of  Judah,  yet  out 
of  thee  shall  he  come  forth  unto  me  that  is  to  be 
Euler  in  Israel ;  whose  goings  forth  have  been 
from  of  old,  from  everlasting.”  To  Daniel  the 
time  was  revealed,  when  Messiah  should  be  cut 
off,  to  finish  transgression,  to  make  an  end  of 
sins,  to  make  reconciliation  for  iniquity,  to  bring 
in  everlasting  righteousness,  and  to  seal  up  the 
vision  and  prophecy.  The  Psalmist  foretold 
the  sufferings  and  death  of  Jesus  on  the  cross  as 
if  he  had  actually  witnessed  them.  The  53d 
chapter  of  Isaiah,  and  the  22 d  Psalm  are  full 
of  Christ  and  him  crucified. 

Thus,  all  the  prophets  highly  extol  Him,  who 
is  the  great  and  glorious  Deliverer  of  lost  man. 
Christ  and  him  crucified  is  the  sum  of  all  those 
good  things  that  God  promised  to  his  ancient 
people, — the  substance  of  all  those  types,  and 
shadows,  and  emblems  which  prefigured  good 
things  to  come.  The  whole  ceremonial  law  was 
25 


290  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRJCIFIED. 


a  shadow  of  good  things  to  come ;  but  “  the  body 
is  of  Christ.”  The  paschal  lamb  bled  on  Jewish 
altars,  as  the  emblem  of  a  bleeding  Saviour. 
Hence  Christ  is  styled,  “the  Lamb  slain  from 
the  foundation  of  the  world.”*  “  The  Lamb  of 
God,  which  taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world.”f 
His  precious  blood  is  represented  to  be  like  that 
of  “  a  lamb  without  blemish  and  without  spot.”^: 
All  the  Jewish  sacrifices,  rites  and  ceremonies 
were  full  of  Christ  crucified.  They  pointed  to 
this  one  great  sacrifice  for  sin.  They  referred 
directly  to  Him,  whose  death  was  truly  an  atoning 
sacrifice.  u  The  death  of  atonement,  then,  which 
the  Son  of  God  died  for  our  redemption,  was 
that  to  which  all  sacrifices,  from  the  earliest 
times,  had  respect,  as  their  great  termination,  and 
without  which  they  would  have  been  as  desti¬ 
tute  of  reason  as  they  were,  in  their  very  nature, 
of  all  actual  value  in  the  very  sight  of  heaven. 
If  holy  men  of  old  made  an  acceptable  use  of 
them,  in  drawing  near  to  God,  it  was  only  by 
looking  through  them  to  this  all-perfect  and  suf¬ 
ficient  sacrifice  which  they  prefigured.  This 
great  sacrifice,  accordingly,  being  offered  up  in 
due  time,  all  that  were  before  it,  were  complete¬ 
ly  done  away,  and  all  that  ancient  sort  of  wor¬ 
ship  went  forever  out  of  use.”§ 

/ 

♦Rev.  xiii.  8.  j*  John  i.  29.  f  Pet.  i.  19-.  §Bib.  Antiq. 


/ 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED  291 


Christ  crucified  is  now  proclaimed  in  the  ever 

lasting  gospel  as  the  substance  of  all  our  holy 

religion.  Whoever  has  faith  in  him,  has  religion 

in  his  soul.  Whoever  believes  on  a  crucified 

Christ,  shall  be  admitted  into  the  Paradise  of 

God,  to  eat  of  the  fruits  of  “  the  tree  of  life,”  and 

to  drink  of  the  crystal  streams  of  living  water, 

which  flow  from  the  throne  of  the  Deitv.  0 

•/ 

then,  give  your  heart  to  Jesus,  and  he  will  fit 
you  for  glory. 

Of  the  ordinances  of  divine  grace,  what  is  the 
sum  ?  Christ  crucified.  Their  grand  design  is 
to  set  Him  forth  as  a  propitiation,  through  faith 
in  his  blood.  Of  the  sacramental  supper,  what 
is  the  substance  ?  Christ  crucified.  This  sweet 
ordinance  is  full  of  Christ  and  his  whole  glorious 
work  for  the  salvation  of  sinners.  In  the  broken 
bread  and  poured  out  wine,  we  see  nothing  but 
the  crucifixion  of  the  blessed  Son  of  God.  Here, 
he  is  presented  to  us  as  the  glorious  Saviour 
dying  for  sinners.  Here,  we  get  a  glimpse  of 
v  his  matchless  perfections — of  his  transcendent 
glory.  Here,  all  his  sufferings  rise  up  to  our 
view — the  sufferings  of  his  holy  soul — the  ago¬ 
nies  of  his  cruel  death.  Here  is  nothing  but 
Christ  and  him  crucified.  How  the  love  and 
grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus  kindle  into  a  glorious 
blaze,  in  this  ordinance. 

Would  you  see  a  lively  exhibition  of  a  cruci- 


292  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


fied  Saviour  ?  Then  go  to  tlie  Lord’s  table ;  sit 
down  there  and  meditate  on  his  death,  his  dying 
love,  his  glorious  atonement ;  so  will  you  grow 
in  grace,  and  in  the  knowledge  of  our  Lord  and 
Saviour  Jesus  Christ.  To  him  be  glory  both 
now  and  forever.  Amen. 

How  highly  should  we  esteem  our  divine  Sa¬ 
viour.  With  what  entire  confidence  should 
we  rely  on  him  for  salvation  l  Blessed  Jesus  I 
Thou  art  the  source  of  all  happiness — the  spring 
of  all  joy.  Thou  art  all  in  all  to  thy  people.  O 
satisfy  me  with  thy  goodness,  that  I  also  may 
rejoice  in  thy  precious  salvation.  “  Bemember 
me,  0  Lord,  with  the  favor  that  thou  bearest 
unto  thy  people ;  visit  me  with  thy  salvation.” 
Befresh  my  soul,  blessed  Lord,  with  the  mani¬ 
festation  of  thy  grace,  and  prepare  me  for  be¬ 
holding  thy  glory  in  heaven — for  enjoying  end¬ 
less  pleasures  at  thy  right  hand.  May  we  all  be 
daily  feeding  by  faith,  on  Christ  and  him  cruci¬ 
fied,  while  we  scjourn  as  strangers  and  pilgrims 
here,  till  we  “enter  in  through  the  gates  into 
the  city,”'  sit  down  beneath  the  shadow  of  the 
tree  of  life,  feed  upon  the  hidden  manna,  and 
drink  of  the  “  pure  river  of  water  of  life,  clear 
as  crystal,  that  proceedeth  out  of  the  throne  of 
G  od  and  of  the  Lamb.” 

In  a  little  while  we  shall  see  our  Bedeemer  s 
face,  and  his  name  shall  be  upon  our  foreheads. 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED,  293 


We  shall  soon  see  a  crucified  Christ — the  print 
of  the  nails,  and  of  the  wound  in  his  side.  How* 
lovely  and  attractive  will  Christ  appear  in  glory, 
as  our  crucified  Saviour !  When  we  look  on 
his  “  dear  wounds  and  bleeding  side,”  our  souls 
will  be  lost  in  wonder,  love,  and  praise.  Then 
we  shall  be  filled  with  his  goodness,  and  taste 
through  eternal  ages  the  sweetness  of  redeeming 
love.  Amen.  Ev  3a  so  come  Lord  Jesus.  Come 
quickly. 


- ; - a - - - — - - - 

294  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED,  THE  ONLY  HOPE  OF  TUB 

SINNER. 

“The  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  which  is  our  hope.” — 1  Tim.  L  1. 

“For  other  foundation  can  no  man  lay  than  that  is  .aid, 
“  Sphich  is  Jesus  Christ.” — 1  Cor.  iii.  11. 

“  0  thou  dear,  anointed  Jesus, 

All  my  hopes  are  fixed  on  thee ; 

In  thy  tender,  sweet  compassion. 

Cast  a  smile  of  love  on  me. 

% 

“  Come  in  all  thy  full  salvation, 

Deign  within  my  heart  to  dwell ; 

Then,  with  all  thy  ransomed  people. 

Of  unbounded  love  I’ll  tell. 

/ 

“Fill  my  soul  with  heavenly  graces, 

Gently  falling  from  above ; 

Meekness,  patience,  pure  affection. 

Sweet  humility  and  love. 

“  Come,  thou  blest  anointed  Saviour, 

To  thy  earthly  temple  come; 

Till  the  hour  of  death  remove  me 
To  my  everlasting  heme.” 

Christ  and  him  crucified,  is  the  only  hope  ol 
the  sinner.  Here  is  the  only  substantial,  per¬ 
manent  foundation  of  all  our  hopes.  “For 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  295 


other  foundation  can  no  man  lay  than  that  i3 
laid,  which  is  Jesus  Christ.” 

A  crucified  Christ  is  the  only  hope  of  the 
world.  In  vain  do  we  hope  for  salvation  from 
any  other  source.  “  Truly  in  vain  is  salvation 
hoped  for  from  the  hills,  and  from  the  multitude 
of  mountains :  truly  in  the  Lord  our  God  is 
the  salvation  of  Israel.”  The  Lord  alone  is  the 
salvation  and  strength  of  his  people.  The  * 
Christian  boldly  exclaims,  “  The  Lord  is  my 
light  and  my  salvation ;  whom  shall  I  fear  ?  the 
Lord  is  the  strength  of  my  life ;  of  whom  shall 
I  be  afraid  ?” 

There  is  but  one  refuge  provided  for  a  lost 
world.  That  refuge  is  Christ  crucified.  It  is  a 
“strong  refuge.”  “The  name  of  the  Lord  is  a 
strong  tower :  the  righteous  runneth  into  it,  and 
is  safe.”  None  are  safe  out  of  Christ.  He  is 
the  only  refuge  from  the  storms  of  divine  wrath 
that  will  one  day  sweep  away  an  ungodly  world. 
“Thou  hast  been  a  strength  to  the  poor,  a 
strength.  to  the  needy  in  his  distress,  a  refuge 
from  the  storm,  a  shadow  from  the  heat,  when 
the  blast  of  the  terrible  ones  is  as  a  storm  against 
the  wall. Christ  will  shield  all  that  come  to 
him.  No  sinner  ever  perished  that  “  fied  for 
refuge  to  lay  hold  upon  the  hope  set  before  us.” 


*  Isa.  rxv.  4. 


296  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


In  tlie  arms  of  Christ,  we  are  safe  for  time, — safe 
for  eternity.  An  almighty  Saviour  has  said 
concerning  his  chosen  flock,  “I  give  unto  them 
eternal  life ;  and  they  shall  never  perish,  neither 
shall  any  pluck  them  out  of  my  hand.”  What 
a  blessed  ark  of  safety  for  perishing  sinners  l 
Christ  and  him  crucified  !  Happ}^  they  who  are 
inclosed  in  this  new  testament  ark  I  They  will 
survive  eveiy  storm,  and  amid  the  wreck  of  a 
crumbling  world,  ride  safely  and  triumphantly 
into  the  harbor  of  immortal  glory !  Happy 
they  whose  lives  are  hid  with  Christ  in  God ; 
when  Christ  who  is  their  life  shall  appear,  they 
shall  appear  with  him  in  glory.  “  Happy  is 
that  people,  that  is  in  such  a  case ;  yea,  happy 
is  that  people,  whose  God  is  the  Lord.” 


“  Sinners,  see  the  ark  prepar’d ! 

Haste  to  enter  while  there’s  room  ; 
Tli o’  the  Lord  his  arm  has  bared, 
Merc}7  still  retards  your  doom : 

“Seek  him  while  there  yet  is  hope, 

Ere  the  day  of  grace  be  past, 

Lest  in  wrath  he  give  you  up, 

And  this  call  shall  prove  your  last.” 


Flee  to  the  ark  of  safety;  hide  in  Christ 
Listen  to  the  gracious  calls  of  your  only  Saviour. 
Hear  him  cry,  “  Come,  my  people,  enter  thou 
into  thy  chambers  and  shut  thy  doors  about 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIF.  ED.  297 


thee :  hide  thyself  as  it  were  for  a  little  moment, 
until  the  indignation  be  overpast.”  Come  with¬ 
out  delay.  Your  Saviour  will  not  reject  you. 
He  will  receive  you  into  his  arms,  adopt  you 
into  his  family,  and  make  you  an  heir  of  God, 
and  a  joint-lieir  with  him  in  gloryc  0,  blessed 
privilege,  to  reign  with  Christ  in  glory!  Accept, 
then,  of  a  crucified  Saviour,  and  heaven  will  be 
your  everlasting  home.  You  will  soon  land  on 
the  peaceful  shores  of  Immanuel’s  land ;  soon  be 
admitted  into  the  presence  of  Christ,  to  sing  the 
song  of  Moses  and  the  Lamb.  If  Christ  is  your 
only  hope  here,  he  will  be  your  everlasting  por¬ 
tion  hereafter.  If  you  glorify  him  on  earth,  you 
shall  enjoy  him  in  heaven.  If  you  follow  the 
Lamb  now,  he  will  lead  you  unto  living  foun¬ 
tains  of  waters,  in  that  “land  of  pure  delight, 
where  saints  immortal  reign.”  You  will  be 
happy  in  his  service  through  time,  and  blissful 
in  his  presence  through  eternity. 

If  your  only  hope  is  the  Lord  Jesus,  he,  as  the 
captain  of  your  salvation,  will  lead  you  into  the 
promised  land.  0  be  sure  to  enlist  in  the  cause 
of  your  crucified  Redeemer.  Choose  him  as 
your  only  leader.  Stand  beneath  the  glorious 
banner  of  his  love.  Follow  him  on  to  victory. 

‘Fight  the  good  fight  of  faith,  lay  hold  on 
eternal  life,”  an  d  }tou  will  come  off  at  last  more 
than  conqueror  through  the  blood  of  the  Lamb. 


298  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED 


Go  forward,  then,  in  the  strength  cf  you:  Be- 
deemer.  Say  with  the  Psalmist,  “  I  will  go  in 
the  strength  of  the  Lord  God ;  I  will  make  men¬ 
tion  cf  thy  righteousness,  even  of  thine  only.”* 
Yiew  the  glorious  prize  offered  to  believers  in 
Jesus !  An  unfading  wreath  of  glory !  A  royal 
diadem  of  beauty !  A  kingdom  that  will  never 
end.  The  inheritance  of  all  things !  “  He  that 

overcometh  shall  inherit  all  things ;  and  I  will 
be  his  God,  and  he  shall  be  my  son.”f  “  Him 
that  overcometh  will  I  make  a  pillar  in  the 
temple  of  my  God,  and  he  shall  go  no  more  out; 
and  I  will  write  upon  him  the  name  of  my  God, 
and  the  name  of  the  city  of  my  God,  which  is 
New  Jerusalem,  which  cometh  down  out  of 
heaven  from  my  God;  and  I  will  write  upon 
him  my  new  name.”$  Here  is  all  the  happiness 
of  heaven  summed  up  in  a  few  words.  But 
who  can  declare  their  import?  "Who  can  ex¬ 
press  the  blessedness  of  being  in  Christ;  of 
resting  our  hopes  on  him?  Eye  hath  net  seen 
it,  nor  hath  the  ear  heard  it ;  neither  has  it 
entered  into  the  heart  of  man.  All  this  glory  is 
obtained  by  believing  on  a  crucified  Jesus.  Is 
Christ  formed  in  you,  “the  hope  of  glory.” 
There  is  but  one  road  to  heaven ;  that  way  is 
through  Ch  fist  and  him  crucified.  All  the  re- 

*  Ps.  lxxi,  16.  f  Rev  xx\  7.  $  Rev  ii.  12 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRC  tIFIED.  299 


deemed  in  glory  have  travelled  this  road.  All 
who  will  ever  yet  enter  in  through  the  gates, 
into  the  new  Jerusalem,  will  be  admitted  only 
through  the  merits  of  a  crucified  Saviour.  Thev 
must  depend  on  him.  There  is  no  other  founda¬ 
tion  on  which  to  rest.  Christ  is  the  way — the 
only  way  to  the  Father,  and  to  a  glorious  im¬ 
mortality.  “I  am  the  way,”  says  Christ,  “and 
the  truth,  and  the  life ;  no  man  cometh  unto  the 
Father,  but  by  me.”  “  I  am  the  door ;  by  me 
of  any  man  enter  in,  he  shall  be  saved,  and 
shall  go  in  and  out,  and  find  pasture.”  There 
is  no  salvation  without  Christ.  There  is  no 
other  name  but  his  that  can  save  from  eternal 
woe.  “  Neither  is  there  salvation  in  any  other ; 
for  there  is  none  other  name  under  heaven  given 
among  men,  whereby  we  must  be  saved.”*  In 
the  gospel  fabric,  Christ  is  the  chief  corner-stone. 
In  him  is  fulfilled  that  ''which  is  written,  “Be¬ 
hold,  I  lay  in  Sion,  a  chief  corner-stone,  elect, 
precious ;  and  he  that  believeth  on  him  shall 
not  be  confounded.”f  Jesus  Christ  is  that 
precious  corner-stone  on  which  the  Church  is 
built.  “  The  stone  which  the  builders  refused, 
is  become  the  head  stone  of  the  corner.”  Fix 
your  hopes  on  Christ  and  him  crucified.  Com¬ 
mit  your  immortal  concerns  into  the  hands  of  a 


*  Acts  iv.  12. 


f  1  Peter  ii.  6. 


300  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


bleeding  Saviour,  and  lieaven  is  yours.  Coir  e, 
and  intrust  your  whole  salvation  to  Him,  who  is 
the  only  hope  set  before  you  in  the  glorious 
gospel.*  Fly  for  refuge  to  Him.  Christ  will 
receive  you  joyfully.  Hear  his  own  gracious 
language.  “All  that  the  Father  giveth  me, 
shall  come  to  me ;  and  him  that  cometh  to  me 
I  will  in  nowise  cast  out.”  Blessed  words? 
What  can  be  more  encouraging. 

Despairing  sinner,  here  is  hope  for  you.  A 
crucified  Saviour  is  lifted  upon  the  pole  of  the 
everlasting  gospel,  that  you  may  view  him  and 
live.  Are  you  drawn  to  him  yet  ?  The  dying 
Saviour  cries,  “And  I,  if  I  be  lifted  up  from 
the  earth  will  draw  all  men  unto  me.”f  Jesus 
Christ  is  elevated  on  the  cross  that  a  diseased, 
dying  world  may  get  a  glimpse  of  him  and  live. 
He  is  the  world’s  Redeemer.  He  is  the  sinner’s 
friend, — his  last  and  only  hope.  Reject  not  this 
only  refuge.  Here  is  hope  for  the  vilest  of  sin¬ 
ners.  Christ  came  to  save  such.  “I  am  not 
come  to  call  the  righteous,  but  sinners  to  re¬ 
pentance.”:]: 


*  When  I  consider,”  said  the  Rev.  R.  Simpson,  on  his  death 
bed,  “  when  I  consider  the  infinite  dignity  and  all-sufficiency 
of  Christ,  I  am  ashamed  to  talk  of  venturing  on  him.  Oh, 
had  I  ten  thousand  souls,  I  would,  at  this  moment  cast  them 
all  into  his  hands,  with  the  utmost  confidence.” 

f  John  xii.  32.  \  Mat  ix.  13. 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  301 


“  Tell  me,”  says  an  eloquent  living  wyter,* 
“where  the  vilest  sinner  is  to  he  found  that 
dwells  on  God’s  footstool;  conduct  me  to  his 
abode  of  wickedness  and  gloom;  and  if  it  be 
anywhere  this  side  the  grave,  I  would  assure 
him  in  God’s  name,  that  he  who  was  lifted  up 
from  the  earth  came  to  save  just  such  sinners  as 
he.”  Whosoever  believeth  on  a  crucified  Re¬ 
deemer  shall  be  saved.  This  is  the  cheering 
language  of  inspiration.  “As  Moses  lifted  up 
the  serpent  in  the  wilderness,  even  so  must  the 
Son  of  Man  be  lifted  up ;  that  whosoever  be¬ 
lieveth  in  him  should  not  perish,  but  have  eter¬ 
nal  life.”f  Then  let  all  look  to  the  cross  of 
Christ.  Let  all  contemplate  the  Son  of  God 
bleeding  for  their  sins.  Let  all  look  to  Jesus, 
and  live. 

“  As  the  serpent  raised  by  Moses 
Heal’d  the  burning  serpent’s  bite, 

Jesus  thus  himself  discloses, 

To  the  wounded  sinner’s  sight ; 

Hear  his  gracious  invitation, 

*  I  have  life  and  peace  to  give, 


Gardiner  Spring,  D.  D.  This  distinguished  divine  io 
one  of  the  ablest  writers  of  the  age.  We  wculd  here 
recommend  his  works.  They  are  among  the  best  religious 
publications  of  the  day,  and  deserve  a  olace  in  every  Chris 
tian  library  throughout  the  land. 

\  John  iii  14,  15. 

26 


4 


S02  cfetct,  ahd  him  crucif  ed 


I  have  wrought  out-  hill  salvation. 

Sinner,  look  to  me  anct  live. 

Pore  upon  jour  sins  no  longer, 

Well  I  know  their  mighty  guilt; 

But  my  love  than  death  is  stronger 
I  my  blood  have  freely  spilt ; 

Though  your  heart  has  long  been  hardenV«, 
Look  on  me — it  soft  shall  grow; 

past  transgressions  shall  be  pardon'd, 

And  I’ll  wash  you  white  as  snow. 

I  have  seen  what  you  were  doing 
Though  you  little  thought  of  me ; 

You  were  madly  bent  on  ruin, 

But  I  said,  it  shall  not  be  ; 

You  had  been  forever  wretched, 

Had  I  not  espous’d  your  part; 

How  behold  my  arms  outstretched, 

To  receive  you  to  my  heart. 

Well  may  shame,  and  joy  and  wonder, 

All  yotir  inward  passions  move; 

I  could  crush  thee  with  my  thunder 
But  I  speak  to  thee  in  love ; 

Sec !  your  sins  are  all  forgiv’n, 

I  have  paid  the  countless  sum  I 

How  my  death  has  open’d  heav’n, 

Thither  you  shall  shortly  come.* 

'*  Dearest  Saviour,  we  adore  theo. 

For  thy  preciouslife  and  death 

Melt  each  stubborn  heart  before  thoe, 

Give  us  all  the  eye  of  faith ; 

From  the  law’s  condemning  senteno*. 

To  thy  rae-cy  we  appeal* 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  803 


Thou  alone  canst  give  repentance, 

Thou  alone  cur  souls  can  heal.” 

“  And  now,  Lord,  what  wait  I  for?  my  hope 
is  in  thee.”  “The  Lord  is  my  portion,  saith 
my  soul ;  therefore  will  I  hope  in  him.”  Is  this 
the  language  of  your  soul?  Do  you  hope  in 
Jesus?  Is  he  your  unfailing  portion?  Then 
rejoice  in  the  Lord.  Make  his  glorious  name 
known  to  a  dying  world.  “Praise  the  Lord, 
call  upon  his  name,  declare  his  doings  among 
the  people,  make  mention  that  his  name  is  ex¬ 
alted.  Sing  unto  the  Lord ;  for  he  hath  done 
excellent  things '  this  is  known  to  all  the  earth. 
Cry  out  and  shout,  thou  inhabitant  of  Zion,  for 
great  is  the  Holy  One  of  Israel  in  the  midst  of 
thee.” 

Blessed  Jesus  I  enable  us  to  rely  on  thee  as 
our  only  hope.  Open  our  eyes  that  we  may 
discern  thy  beauty  and  excellence.  Be  thou 
our  hiding  place  to  which  we  may  resort  for 
safety.  May  sinners  flee  to  thee  before  the 
storm  arises  to  overwhelm  a  guilty  world. 

“  Lord,  open  sinners’  eyes, 

Their  awful  state  to  see , 

And  make  them  ere  the  storm  ariae, 

To  thee  fer  safety  flee.” 

•Turn  you  to  the  stronghold,  ye  prisoners 


304  CHRIST,  AND  HI 3£  CRUCIFIED. 


of  hope.”  Jesus  is  willing  to  encircle  you  in 
the  arms  of  his  protection  and  love.  Then  turn 
to  him-  Christ  and  him  crucified  is  the  sinner’s 
‘‘stronghold.”  Here  all  are  safe.  All  who 
now  rest  in  Jesus  shall  enjoy  eternal  rest  here¬ 
after. 

Blessed  Lord!  lead  me  to  the  Rock  that  is 
higher  than  I.  May  all  my  hopes  be  in  Jesus, 
the  sinner’s  Friend.  May  he  be  made  unto  me 
wisdom,  and  righteousness,  and  sanctification 
and  redemption.  “  The  Lord  is  my  rock  and 
my  fortress,  and  my  deliverer;  my  God,  my 
strength,  in  whom  I  will  trust ;  my  buckler,  and 
the  horn  of  my  salvation,  and  my  high  tower.”* 

Look  to  Jesus  for  wisdom  to  lead  you  safely 
through  a  dark,  bewildering  world  of  sin  and 
,  folly,  to  the  bright  mansions  of  eternal  glory. 
Lean  on  him  for  support,  while  you  journey 
through  the  wilderness.  Let  him  be  always  the 
beloved  of  our  soul ;  always  “the  chiefest  among 
ten  thousand”  in  your  estimation ;  yea  always 
the  one  altogether  lovely.  Look  to  a  crucified 
Jesus  for  righteousness.  He  only  can  clothe  the 
guilty,  polluted  sinner  with  the  beautiful  robes 
of  redeeming  righteousness, — with  the  spotless 
garments  of  salvation.  Every  redeemed  sinner 
in  glory  rust  be  clad  with  the  radiant  vesture 


*  Tsalm  xviii.  2. 


•  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  3C5 


of  a  Saviour’s  righteousness,  This  alone  will 
make  us  appear  beautiful  in  the  eyes  of  Jehovah. 
This  alone  will  place  us  before  his  throne,  amid 
the  glories  of  heaven.  Blessed  righteousness  of 
crucified  Jesus !  What  glory  does  it  bring  to 
*ost  man!  Then,  with  Paul,  desire  to  “be 
found  in  Christ,  not  having  your  own  righteous¬ 
ness,  which  is  of  the  law,  but  that  which  is 
through  the  faith  of  Christ,  the  righteousness 
which  js  of  God  by  faith.”* 

Look  to  Jesus  for  sanctification.  Without 
holiness  no  man  shall  see  the  Lofd.  The  pure 
in  heart  shall  see  God.  Jesus  will  wash  every 
filthy,  unclean  soul  that  flies  to  him,  in  his  own 
divine  blood,  and  make  that  sinful  soul  shine 
with  unsullied  purity  and  perfect  holiness 
through  heaven’s  eternal  day. 

Look  to  Christ  crucified  for  redemption. 
Trust  in  no  other.  Hope  in  no  other.  Christ 
is  the  redemption  of  his  people.  They  look  to 
him,  and  are  saved.  He  has  bought  them  with 
his  precious  blood.  He  has  prepared  them  for 
glory.  Through  his  all-atoning  sacrifice,  they 
shall  “eat  of  the  trek  of  life,  which  is  in  the 
midst  of  the  paradise  of  God,”  and  be  crowned 
with  everlasting  bliss.  0  embrace  a  crucified 
Saviour  and  rest  on  him  in  all  h’.s  savir  g  offices. 

•  Phil.  iii.  9. 


206  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


Take  him  as  your  Prophet,  Priest  and  King, 
Thus  he  will  be  your  complete  Saviour ;  your 
all  in  all. 

The  pious  author  of  the  Christian  Retirement, 
has  the  following  beautiful  remarks :  “  Christ  is 
the  salvation  of  all  his  dear,  believing  people ; 
they  look  to  no  other ;  they  love  no  other ;  or, 
if  they  love  others,  it  is  Christ  in  them  who  is 
the  chief  object  of  their  affection. 

“  Here  I  behold  a  way  of  access  opened  to  poor 
perishing  sinners,  through  faith  in  the  atone¬ 
ment  of  Jesus.  Lord,  give  me  faith  in  thy  dear 
Son.  Enable  me  to  cast  my  soul  without  re¬ 
serve  upon  thy  covenanted  mercies  in  Christ 
Jesus.  In  him  alone  is  eternal  life.  In  him 
alone  are  treasured  up  grace,  mercy,  and  peace. 
He  that  hath  the  Son,  hath  life;  for  this  is 
eternal  life,  to  know  thee,  the  only  true  God, 
and  Jesus  Christ  whom  thou  hast  sent.  Oh  for 
a  heart  to  believe  unto  righteousness !  Blessed 
Lord,  this  heart  thou  only  canst  bestow.  Thou 
knowest  my  wickedness  and  wretchedness ;  my 
frailties  and  follies;  my  helplessness  and  total 
alienation  of  heart  from  thee.  Thou  knowest 
from  what  height  of  happiness  I  am  fallen 
through  original  sin,  and  into  what  depth  of 
misery  I  am  plunged  through  wilful  transgres¬ 
sion.  But,  Oh  sovereign  love!  Oh  matchless 
grace!  thou  hast  pitied  me;  thou  hast  sent  thv 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRICIFIED  307 


Son,  thy  only  Son,  to  save  me.  Thou  hast  as¬ 
sured  me  that  all  who  believe  in  him  shall  not 
perish,  but  have  everlasting  life.” 

In  a  word,  look  to  Jesus  as  the  great  Phy¬ 
sician  of  our  sin-sick  soul.  He  only  can  cure  you 
of  all  your  spiritual  maladies.  He  only  can  clothe 
you  with  immortal  health,  and  angelic  vigor  in 
the  world  of  glory.  Come  to  Him,  and  you 
shall  drink  of  the  healing  waters  of  life,  and 
eternally  bloom  in  the  paradise  of  God. 

How  _ost  was  my  condition, 

Till  Jesus  made  me  whole  l 
There  is  but  one  physician 
Can  cure  a  sin-sick  soul  I 
Next  door  to  death  he  found  me, 

And  snatched  me  from  the  graven 
To  tell  to  all  around  me. 

His  wond’rous  power  to  save. 

“  The  worst  of  all  diseases 

Is  light,  compar’d  with  sin  • 

On  ev’ry  part  it  seizes, 

But  rages  most  within: 

Tis  palsy,  plague  and  fever, 

And  madness — oil  combin’d, 
i  And  none  but  a  believer, 

The  least  relief  can  find. 

From  men  great  skill  professing, 

I  thought  a  cure  to  gain  ; 

But  this  proved  more  distresing, 

And  added  to  my  pain  ; 


808 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED* 


Some  said  that  nothing  ail’d  me, 
Some  gave  me  up  for  lost; 
Thus  ev’ry  refuge  fail’d  me 

And  all  my  hopes  were  cross’d. 

“At  length  this  great  physician. 
How  matchless  is  his  grace  ! 
Accepted  my  petition, 

And  undertook  my  case: 

First  gave  me  sight  to  view  him, 
For  sin  my  e}’es  had  seal’d; 
Then  bid  me  look  unto  him ; 

I  look’d,  and  I  was  heal’d. 

“A  dying,  risen  Jesus, 

Seen  by  the  eye  of  faith ; 

At  once  from  danger  frees  us, 
And  saves  the  soul  from  death : 
Come  then  to  this  Physician, 

His  help  he’ll  freely  give, 

He  makes  nc  hard  condition. 

Tis  only,  aok  and  li  v&n 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED  309 


CHAPTER  X. 

THE  CROSS  OF  CHRIST,  THE  GLORY  OF  THE  CHRISTIAN. 

v  God  ftrbid  that  I  should  glory,  save  n  the  cross  of  cur 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.” — Gal.  vi.  14. 

“Well  may  I  glory  in  his  cross, 

While  he  prepares  my  crown.” 

What  wonders  are  manifested  in  the  Cross 
of  Christ!  What  fountains  of  joy  does  it  un¬ 
cover  for  the  thirsty  sinner  I  What  oceans  of 
divine  grace  does  it  reveal  to  the  aspiring  saint . 
What  glories  does  it  unfold  to  the  ransomed  be¬ 
liever  !  It  is  the  power  of  God,  and  the  wisdom 
of  God,  and  the  salvation  of  the  soul.  How  it 
displays  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  to 
poor,  perishing  sinners!  0  boundless  grace, 
that  pitied  us  when  lost!  and  that  lescued  us 
from  everlasting  burnings !  The  cross  of  Christ 
manifests  the  free,  sovereign,  matchless  love  of 
God  to  a  lost  world. 

How  free  the  love,  how  rich  the  graces 
A  pard’ning  God  bestows  ; 

To  Adam’s  vile,  apostate  race, 

In  boundless  streams  it  il  :wa, 


310  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


‘"What  joy  arises  in  tlio  heart 
When  Jesus’  cross  appears — 

Salvation  to  my  soul  impart, 

Subdue  my  guilty  fears. 

M  Bless’d  Saviour,  speak  the  healing  word 
Bid  all  my  sorrows  cease ; 

Be  thou  my  Great  Atoning  Lord, 

My  Righteousness  and  Peace.” 

What  joys  flow  from  the  Saviour’s  cross!  It 
is  the  sight  of  that  cross,  which  enables  the 
sinner  to  read  his  title  clear  to  a  glorious  im¬ 
mortality.  The  cross  of  Christ  is  full  of  rich, 

%j  7 

heavenly  blessings.  The  pardon  of  sin,  the  jus¬ 
tification  of  our  persons,  the  sanctification  of  our 
natures,  eternal  life,  immortal  glory,  the  endless 
enjoyment  of  a  triune  Gfod  in  heaven,  are  some 
of  the  blessings  which  it  contains.  O  my  soul, 
pant  after  these  blessings  so  fully  treasured  up 
in  the  cross  of  Christ,  and  so  freely  offered  to 
dying  sinners.  Header,  come  to  the  cross,  and 
these  blessings  will  descend  on  your  head. 
You  will  then  taste  of  the  fountains  of  bliss  in 
Immanuel’s  land,  and  bathe  in  the  rivers  of 
pleasures  which  eternally  flow  through  the 
fealms  of  glory. 

*  O  the  sweet  wonders  of  that  cross, 

Where  Christ  my  Saviour  loved  and  died. 

Her  noblest  ife  my  spirit  draws, 

Fr  m  his  d.-ar  wou  nds  and  bleeding  sida” 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  811 


Here  we  have  the  infinitely  tender  love,  the 
immensely  free,  rich  grace  of  the  bleeding,  dying 
Immanuel.  What  a  sweet  topic  for  contempla¬ 
tion  !  What  a  noble  theme  for  the  Christian  to 
glory  in  !  Well  might  the  great  Apostle  of  the 
Gentiles  exclaim,  “God  forbid  that  I  should 
glory,  save  in  the  cross  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
by  whom  the  world  is  crucified  unto  me,  and  I 
unto  the  world.” 

In  the  Scriptures  the  cross  of  Christ  is  used  in 
three  different  senses.  1.  It  denotes  the  timber 
to  which  our  Lord  was  nailed,  and  on  which  he 
expired.  “  He  endured  the  cross,  despising  the 
shame.”  “  He  became  obedient  unto  death,  even 
the  death  of  the  cross.”*  2.  It  denotes  the  way 
of  salvation  through  Christ  and  Him  crucified. 

*  “The  punishment  of  the  cross  was  a  Roman  invention. 
It  was  made  use  of  only  in  the  case  of  slaves,  or  very  no¬ 
torious  malefactors.  The  cross  was  made  of  two  beams  of 
wood  crossing  each  other.  It  was  laid  on  the  ground  and 
the  criminal  stretched  upon  it.  A  nail  was  driven  through 
each  hand,  and  one  nail  through  both  the  feet.  It  was  then 
lifted  upright,  and  let  fall  into  a  hole,  where  it  was  wedged 
in.  The  crucified  man  was  then  left  to  die  hanging  by  his 
hands  and  feet.  This  was  the  death  to  which  Jesus  stooped.” 
0  how  amazing  was  that  condescsnsicn  of  God’s  own  Son, 
which  brought  him  from  a  glorious  throne  to  a  suffering 
cross!  Amazing  condescension  indeed!  O  how  brightly 
did  that  wonderful  love  of  a  blessed  Saviour  blaze  on  Cal¬ 
vary,  when  he  so  willingly,  so  cheerfully  endured  the  death 
cf  the  cross  there  for  ns  sinners 


312  CHETST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


“The  preaching  of  the  cross  is  to  them  that 
perish  foolishness ;  but  unto  us  which  are  saved 
it  is  the  power  of  God.”  “We  preach  Christ 
crucified,  unto  the  Jews  a  stumbling-block,  and 
unto  the  Greeks  foolishness ;  but  unto  them 
which  are  called,  both  Jews  and  Greeks,  Christ 
the  power  of  God,  and  the  wisdom  of  God.”* 
3.  It  is  used  to  denote  the  sufferings  endured  in 
following  a  crucified  Saviour.  “  If  any  man 
will  come  after  me,  let  him  deny  himself  and 
take  up  his  cross  and  follow  me.”f  It  was  in  the 
Atonement  of  Jesus  made  on  the  cross  that  the 
Apostle  gloried.  This  furnishes  the  ground  of 
the  Christian’s  triumph.  This  endears  the  cross 
to  his  soul.  This  makes  the  sufferings  of  Cal¬ 
vary  appear  so  glorious  in  his  eye.  It  was  the 
glorious,  finished  work  of  a  crucified  Redeemer 
on  the  ignominious  cross,  that  drew  from  the 
Apostle’s  lips,  this  exulting  language:  “God 
fbrbid  that  I  should  glory  save  in  the  cross  of 
our  Lord  J esus  Christ.”  By  the  cross  of  Christ, 
is  here  meant  the  whole  of  that  sublime  scheme 
of  redemption  executed  on  Calvary,  "by  the  death 
of  the  Son  of  God.  To  Paul  this  was  an  ab¬ 
sorbing  topic — his  chosen  favorite  theme.  On 
this  adamantine  foundation,  he  built  his  hopes 
for  eternity. 


*  1  Cor.  i.  18-23,  24 


f  Matt.  xiv.  4* 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  313 


This  was  the  blessed  source  of  all  his  joy — 
the  sublime  cause  of  all  his  glorying.  He 
gloried  in  nothing  else.  At  all  times,  and  in 
every  place  he  visited,  Paul  gloried  in  Christ 
and  him  ci  ucified.  Among  Jews  and  Greeks, 
Barbarians  and  Scythians,  the  learned  and  the 
illiterate,  this  was  his  delightful  theme ;  in  this 
he  exulted.  From  the  top  of  Mars-hill,  he  waved 
the  banner  of  the  cross  over  the  proud  city  of 
Athens.  Nothing  could  cool  the  fervor  of 
Paul’s  attachment  to  the  cross  of  Christ.  “  The 
sacred  flame  that  was  kindled  on  his  way 
to  Damascus,”  says  the  eloquent  Dr.  Spring, 
“  burned  brighter  and  brighter,  through  dark¬ 
ness,  through  trial,  through  the  floods  and 
through  the  flames,  till  it  rose  pure  from  the 
scaffold  where  he  received  the  martyr’s  crown, 
and  whence  his  spirit  ascended  to  receive  the 
crown  that  fadeth  not  away.”  0  that  every  reader 
would  imbibe  the  spirit  of  Paul,  and  glory  only 
in  the  cross  of  Christ  I  The  cross  of  Christ  is 
the  Christian’s  glory.  In  every  age  this  has 
been  his  song.  Every  true  believer  glories  *81 
Christ  and  him  crucified.  A  ray  of  heavenly 
light  from  the  cross,  beams  on  his  soul,  filling  it 
with  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory ;  enabling 
him  to  sing  in  the  ways  of  the  Lord  and  glorify 
the  rock  of  his  salvation.  He  sees  the  moral 
grandeur  of  the  cross  its  attractiveness;  its 
27 


314:  CHRIST*  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


dazzling  glory.  He  is  thus  led  to  place  all  his 
hopes  in  the  cross  of  the  Man  of  Calvary,  and  to 
glory,  before  an  ungodly  world,  in  that  atone¬ 
ment  made  by  the  blood  of  Jesus.  All  his  hopes 
of  eternal  felicity  in  heaven,  spring  from  the 
cross  of  Christ.  No  wonder  then,  that  he  should 
extol  that  Saviour  who  died  to  save  him,  and 
celebrate  that  wondrous  work  which  procures 
for  him,  endless  bliss. 

“’Tis  Jesus  died  to  save, 

’Tis  Jesus  lives  to  bless ; 

On  high  he  dwells — the  sinner’s  friend, 

The  Lord,  our  righteousness. 

“Then,  Oh  my  soul,  rejoice, 

Extol  thy  Saviour’s  name ; 

Make  mention  of  his  dying  love, 

And  celebrate  his  fame. 

“He  claims  thy  heart,  thy  love; 

He  claims  thee  for  his  own  ; 

Oh  cast  thyself  in  willing  bonds. 

Before  his  heavenly  throne.” 

It  is  through  an  interest  in  the  cross  of  Christ, 
that  the  Christian  is  enabled  to  reach  the  peace¬ 
ful  shores  of  a  happy  eternity.  Well  may  he  be 
enraptured  with  such  a  theme ;  well  may  he 
glory  in  such  a  cross  1  Not  one  blessing  flows 
to  him  but  what  comes  from  the  cross  of  Jesus. 
How  innumerable,  bow  invaluable  then  are  the 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  315 


blessings  which  proceed  from  the  cross  of  Christ! 
Time  cannot  unfold  them.  Eternity  will  roll 
away  in  telling  their  numbers,  and  in  revealing 
their  preciousness.  In  heaven,  we  will  clearly 
see  how  much  we  owe  to  the  cross  of  Christ. 
There,  we  shall  rejoice  through  a  blessed  eter¬ 
nity  in  contemplating  the  wonders  of  the  cross — 
in  meditating  on  redemption’s  glorious  w'ork. 

0  my  soul,  glory  in  the  cross  of  Christ  now. 
Rejoice  in  the  finished  work  of  the  Lord  Jesus. 
“  He  that  glorieth,  let  him  glory  in  the  Lord.”* 
Let  him  glory  in  a  crucified  Saviour, — in  his 
atoning  blood, — in  his  perfect  righteousness, — 
in  his  vicarious  death  and  joyful  resurrection, — 
in  his  triumphant  ascension  to  glory — in  his  con¬ 
tinual  intercession  at  God’s  right  hand  for  sin¬ 
ners.  Let  the  Christian  glory  in  that  cross 
which  has  opened  for  him  the  gates  of  heaven, 
and  which  will  seat  him  amidst  the  ambrosial 
bowers  of  paradise,  where  he  shall  be  perpetually 
fanned  with  the  cool,  balmv  breezes  of  Imman- 

'  «s 

uel’s  land,  and  enjoy  sweet  eternal  communion 
with  God  and  the  Lamb.  Blessed  cross  that 
crowns  the  sinner  with  such  bliss  1  Who  would 
not  glory  in  such  a  theme  ?  Let  me  exhort  fire 
folio v/e  :s  of  the  Lamb  to  glory  in  the  cross  of 
Christ  Let  them  glory  in  Christ  and  him 

*  .  Cor.  i  SI 


j 


316  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIEI 


crucified.  “  In  the  Lord  shall  all  the  seed  of 
Israel  be  justified,  and  shall  glory.”*  ‘  Let  all 
those  that  put  their  trust  in  thee  rejoice;  let 
them  ever  shout  for  joy :  let  them  also  that  love 
thy  name  be  joyful  in  thee.”f  “  Let  the  saints  be 
joyful  in  glory;  let  them  sing  aloud  upon  their 
beds.”^:  Oh !  how  often  has  the  cross  inspired 
the  Christian  with  bright  heavenly  hopes,  fired 
his  soul  with  a  foretaste  of  celestial  bliss,  and 
caused  his  heart  to  shout  for  joy  amidst  the  suf¬ 
ferings  of  mortality. 

There  is  nothing  so  animating  to  the  Christian 
as  a  sight  of  Calvary.  How  despicable  does  the 
world  appear  in  his  view,  when  he  obtains  a 
glimpse  of  that  cross  on  which  his  Saviour  died  I 
Every  thing  else  loses  its  lustre  when,  by  the 
eye  of  faith,  the  cross  of  Christ  is  seen.  Have 
you  seen  the  glory  of  the  cross  of  a  crucified 
Jesus?  Have  you  come  within  sight  of  Calvary 
and  seen  the  blood  streaming  from  Immanuel’s 
veins  to  wash  away  your  sins,  and  save  your 
soul  ?  Are  you  delighted  with  this  way  of  sal¬ 
vation  ?  Does  the  cross  of  Christ  fill  you  with 
joy?  Have  you  seen  its  attractions?  Then 
glory  in  it. 

Amid  all  the  varied  scenes  ?f  life — m  pros- 

*  Is.  zv  25  f  Ps.  v.  11 

t  Ps.  sav.  5 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  317 


perity  and  adversity,  in  health  and  sickness,  in 
life  and  death,  the  cross  of  Christ  is  the  Chris¬ 
tian’s  glory.  Sooner  would  the  children  of  God 
lay  down  their  lives  than  cease  to  glory  in  thi3 
blessed  theme.  And  they  have  done  so,  in 
thousands  of  instances.  For  their  attachment 
to  the  cross,  “  they  loved  not  their  lives  unto  the 
death.”  How  those  noble  martyrs  whose  souls 
iscended  to  glory  amid  billows  of  flame  and 
smoke,  loved  the  cross!  How  they  gloried  in 
it!  From  the  dreadful  flames  of  persecution, 
many  a  shout  was  heard  on  high,  “  God  forbid 
that  I  should  glory,  save  in  the  cross  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.”  In  the  bloody  days  of  suf¬ 
fering  and  death,  the  martyr’s  dying  song  at  the 
burning  stake  has  been,  “Welcome  the  cross  of 
Christ!  Welcome  the  cross  of  Christ!  Wel¬ 
come  life  everlasting.”  Thus  sweetly  sung  the 
dying  Saunders,  as  he  kissed  the  stake  at  which 
he  was  bound. 

Let  the  cross  of  Christ  also  be  your  glory. 
Rejoice  in  Jesus,  your  Saviour.  “Rejoice  in 
the  Lord  alway;  and  again  I  say,  rejoice.”* 
Let  Christ  and  his  glorious  work  for  the  salva¬ 
tion  of  sinners,  be  your  song  in  the  house  of 
your  pilgrimage;  and  when  earth,  with  all  its 
fascinating  pleasures  shall  have  passed  away 

*  Phil,  i  4 
27* 


318  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


like  a  dream,  you  will  joy  in  God,  in  your  Saw 
iour,  through  the  rolling  ages  of  a  blessed  eter¬ 
nity.  Standing  on  “the  crystal  sea  of  glass” 
before  the  e:ernal  throne  of  heaven,  you  will 
raise  a  never-ending  song  of  praise  to  Him  who 
sitteth  upon  the  throne  ;  whose  blood  redeemed 
you  to  God,  and  in  whose  cross  you  gloried  on 
earth.  Blessed  Jesus  I  enable  each  reader  to 
glory  in  thy  cross.  Give  us  all  hearts  of  faith 
to  receive  and  rest  upon  thee.  May  we  realize 
thy  preciousness.  May.  thy  death  be  our  life, 
thy  cross,  our  glory.  Refresh  our  souls  with 
the  provisions  of  the  cross.  Crown  our  heads 
with  its  blessings.  Lead  us  through  the  “  green 
pastures”  and  “  still  waters”  of  divine  grace,  and 
when  our  pilgrimage  on  earth  is  ended,  when 
life’s  short  tale  is  told,  bring  us  to  that  blessed 
home  in  the  world  of  glory,  which  is  the  pur¬ 
chase  of  thy  cross. 

“  Behold  me  at  the  bleeding  cross ; 

Wash  out,  dear  Lord,  each  guilty  stain 
Oh,  may  I  count  the  world  but  loss — 

Thy  love  my  great,  my  richest  gain.” 

For  the  numberless  benefits  and  blessings,  he 
derives  from  the  cross  of  a  loving  Saviour,  the 
Christian  has  great  reason  to  glory  in  it.  It  is 
“  the  tree  of  life”  to  the  believing  soul.  Its  fruit 
is  spiritual  and  divine.  Those  who  taste  it, 


CHE  1ST,  AN  1>  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  3i9 


never  hunger,  never  thirst,  never  die.  The 
blessings  which  hang  clustering  on  this  tree  of 
life  are  innumerable.  Eternity  alone  can  unfold 
them.  Here  we  taste  but  drops  from  the  foun¬ 
tain-head  above;  there  we  shall  forever  drink 
of  the  water  of  life  in  the  paradise  of  God.  In 
heaven  we  shall  enjoy  all  the  blessings  of  the 
cross  of  Jesus ;  and  there  we  shall  eternally 
glory  in  it.  A  few  of  these  rich  blessings  we 
now  select. 

1.  The  pardon  of  sin;  this  is  one  of  the  bless¬ 
ings  of  the  cross.  The  pardon  of  all  our  sins, 
original  and  actual,  was  obtained  by  the  death 
of  Christ.  “  Through  this  man”  (though  a  cru¬ 
cified  Saviour)  “  is  preached  unto  you  the  for¬ 
giveness  of  sins.”*  There  is  no  remission  of 
sins  but  through  the  cross  of  Christ.  This  ex¬ 
piates  our  guilt,  and  sets  us  free.  Here  God, 
in  his  unbounded  love,  removes  our  transgres¬ 
sions  from  us,  as  far  as  the  east  is  from  the  west. 
Here  he  speaks  in  merciful  tones  to  the  sinner. 
This  is  his  comfortable  language  through  the 
cross  of  Jesus :  “  Come  now  and  let  us  reason 
together,  saith  the  Lord:  though  your  sins  be  as 
scarlet,  they  shall  be  as  white  as  snow ;  though 
they  be  red  like  crimson,  they  shall  be  as 
wool.”f 


Acts  xiii.  88. 


•[  sa.  i.  18. 


820  CHRIST  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


Through  the  blood  of  the  cross,  pardon  flows 
to  a  rebel  world.  0  to  be  interested  in  that 
cross  which  confers  such  an  invaluable  blessing 
upon  our  sinful  race  I  W ell  may  redeemed  sin¬ 
ners  glory  in  salvation  by  Jesus.  “ 0  my  soul, 
my  guilty  soul,  what  are  all  the  kingdoms  of  the 
world,  and  the  glories  of  them,  compared  with 
this  ineffable  blessing  I” 

2.  The  cross  of  Christ  procures  our  justifica¬ 
tion,  reconciles  us  to  God,  and  clothes  us  with 
the  robes  of  righteousness.  The  cross  of  Christ 
justifies  the  ungodly.  The  sinner  is  accepted 
in  the  beloved.  “By  him  all  that  believe  are 
justified  from  all  things,  from  which  ye  could 
not  be  justified  by  the  law  of  Moses.”*  The 
'.ross  of  Christ  procures  our  peace  with  God. 
‘When  we  were  enemies,  we  were  reconciled 
to  God  by  the  death  of  his  Son.”f  He  hath 
made  “  peace  through  the  blood  of  his  cross.”;): 
Through  the  cross  of  Jesus  we  enjoy  the  favor 
of  a  gracious  God,  which  is  better  than  life.  By 
the  cross  of  Christ,  the  world  is  reconciled  to 
God.  No  wonder  then  that  the  atoning  sacri¬ 
fice,  of  a  crucified  Saviour,  should  be  all  our 
boast.  No  wonder  that  we  should  “joy  in  God 
through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by  whom  we 
have  now  received  the  atonemen  t.”  The  cross 


*  Acta  xiii.  E'l 


■}  Rom.  v.  10. 


t  Col L  2a 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  321 


of  Christ  invests  the  sinner  with  a  robe  of  purity 
the  spotless  righteousness  of  Immanuel.  All 
the  redeemed  in  glory  have  washed  their  robes 
and  made  them  white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb. 
In  heaven  all  are  beautified  with  the  wedding 
garment.  The  righteousness  of  a  crucified  Jesus 
covers  all.  “  That  righteousness,”  says  the  pious 
Doddridge,  “  to  which,  on  believing  on  him, 
thou  wilt  be  entitled,  shall  not  only  break  those 
chains  by  which  sin  is,  as  it  were,  dragging  thee 
at  its  chariot  wheels  with  a  furious  pace,  to 
eternal  ruin,  but  it  shall  clothe  thee  with  the 
robes  of  salvation,  shall  fix  thee  on  a  throne  of 
glory,  where  thou  shalt  live  and  reign  forever 
among  the  princes  of  heaven,  shalt  reign  in  im¬ 
mortal  beauty  and  joy,  without  one  remaining 
scar  of  divine  displeasure  upon  thee,  without 
any  single  mark  by  which  it  could  be  known 
that  thou  hadst  ever  been  obnoxious  to  wrath 
and  a  curse,  except  it  be  an  anthem  of  praise  to 
‘  the  Lamb  that  was  slain,  and  has  washed  thee 
from  thy  sins  in  his  own  blood.’”  Well  may 
we  glory  in  the  cross  on  account  of  its  righte¬ 
ousness, 

3.  The  cross  of  Christ  delivers  us  from  this 
present  evil  world.  “By  whom  the  world  is 
crucified  unto  me,  and  I  unto  the  world.” 

“A  sigl  t  of  Jesus  on  tlie  cross 
Makes  all  this  MO'/d  appear  as  dross.” 


822  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CilUOxFIED. 


The  Christian  looks  beyond  this  dying  world  to 
his  eternal  home  in  glory.  The  cross  of  Jesus 
enables  him  to  soar  on  high,  and  leave  the  world 
behind  him.  He  looks  forward  to  the  glory  that 
is  to  be  revealed  in  him.  He  sets  his  affections 
on  things  above.  0,  keep  gazing  on  a  crucified 
Saviour,  and  the  world  will  lose  its  charms. 
“  Be  of  good  cheer,”  says  Christ,  11 1  have  over- 
come  the  world.”  We  also  shall  overcome  it, 
through  his  cross.  It  is  a  sight  of  the  cross  of 
Christ  that  weans  the  affections  from  sublunary 
objects,  and  centres  them  on  heavenly  and  divine 
things.  In  this  wicked  world,  the  Christian 
thirsts  for  God,  and  pants  to  reach  the  mansions 
of  glory.  The  language  of  his  heart  in  this 
wilderness  is  thus  beautifully  expressed  by  tho 
poet : 

“  I  thirst,  but  not  as  once  I  did, 

The  vain  delights  of  earth  to  share ; 

Thy  wounds  Immanuel,  all  forbid, 

That  I  should  seek  my  pleasure  here. 

*  It  was  the  sight  of  thy  dear  cross, 

First  wean’d  my  soul  from  earthly  things 
And  taught  me  to  esteem  as  dross, 

The  mirth  of  feels  and  pomp  of  kings. 

“I  want  that  grace  that  springs  from  thee, 

That  quickens  all  things  where  it  flows; 

And  male  a  wretched  thorn,  like  me, 

Bloc  i:  as  the  myrtle,  or  the  rose. 


L 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED  323 


“Dear  fountain  of  delight  unknown. 
No  longer  sink  below  the  brim ; 
But  overflow,  and  pour  me  down 
A  iving,  and  life-giving  stream  I’* 


4.  Another  blessing  of  the  cross  of  Christ  is 
the  victory  over  death  and  the  gloomy  grave. 
Death  is  the  last  enemy  that  the  Christian  has  to 
encounter.  But  the  cross  of  Christ  crowns  him 
with  complete  victory.  It  disarms  death  of  its 
sting  and  the  grave  of  its  terrors.  When  the 
swellings  of  Jordan  roll  over  the  believer’s  soul, 
the  cross  of  Christ  sustains  him.  When  amidst 
the  gloom  and  darkness  of  death,  a  celestial 
beam  from  the  cross  of  Christ  often  shines  to 
guide  the  Christian  pilgrim  through  the  “  valley 
and  shadow  of  death,”  and  to  cheer  his  droop¬ 
ing  soul  with  a  prospect  of  the  glories  of  the 
heavenly  Canaan.  The  believer  is  then  enabled 
to  exclaim,  “yea,  though  I  walk  through  the 
valley  of  the  shadow  of  death,  I  will  fear  no 
evil;  for  thou  art  with  me;  thy  rod  and  thy 
staff  they  comfort  me.”  It  is  the  cross  of  Christ 
that  puts  this  song  in  the  believer’s  lips.  It  is 
Jesus,  the  sinner’s  Friend,  that  smooths  the 
passage  to  the  tomb — to  the  realms  of  everlast¬ 
ing  day.  Precious,  crucified  Saviour ! 


u  Jesus  can  make  a  dying  bed 

Feel  soft  as  downy  pillows  are, 


824  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


While  on  his  breast  I  lean  my  head, 

And  breathe  my  life  out  sweetly  there.” 

The  cross  of  Christ  enables  the  dying  Chris¬ 
tian  to  come  off  the  stage  of  mortal  conflict, 
shouting  with  Dr.  Pay  son,  11  Victory,  victory ! 
Peace,  peace!”  or  with  Dr.  Simpson,  “0  death! 
where  is  thy  sting?  What  art  thou?  I  am 
not  afraid  of  thee.  Thou  art  a  vanquished 
enemy  through  the  blood  of  the  cross!”  The 
cross  of  Christ  converts  the  kins;  of  terrors  into 
a  messenger  of  peace.  Now  it  is  gain  for  the 
believer  to  die.  When  the  Christian  closes  his 
eyes  in  death,  it  is  only  “  to  depart  and  be  with 
Christ,  which  is  far  better.”  The  cross  of  Christ 
enables  the  believer  to  finish  his  Christian  war¬ 
fare  with  this  triumphant  song,  “ 0  death,  where 
is  thy  sting?  0  grave,  where  is  thy  victory? 
Thanks  be  to  God,  who  giveth  us  the  victory, 
through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ!” 

“Jesus,  the  vision  of  thy  face 
Hath  overpowering  charms; 

Scarce  shall  I  feel  death’s  cold  embrace, 

* 

If  Christ  be  in  my  arms.” 

5.  The  cross  of  Christ  opens  the  portals  of 
glory  for  our  reception.  It  admits  us  into  the 
presence  of  God  and  crowns  us  with  unutterable 
bliss.  There  is  no  way  to  heaven  but  through 
the  cross  of  Christ.  When  the  cross  of  Christ 


CHRIST  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  325 


was  erected  on  earth,  the  gates  of  paradise  were 
opened  above.  This  leads  the  sinner  to  glory. 
The  precious  blood  of  Jesus  that  was  poured  out 
upon  the  cross,  is  the  only  procuring  cause  of 
heavenly  felicity.  Jesus  died  to  make  us  happy 
• — eternally  happy.  This  is  the  blessed  consum¬ 
mation  of  all  his  sufferings  and  death.  This  was 
the  reason  why  he  groaned  in  Gethsemane,  why 
he  bled  and  died  on  Calvary.  It  was  to  make 
you  shine  eternally  in  mansions  of  glory.  This 
is  the  grand  design  of  the  preaching  of  the  cross. 
It  points  sinners  to  a  glorious  immortality.  This 
is  one  of  its  ineffable  blessings.  Salvation  is  by 
the  blessed  cross  of  Christ.  What  tongue  can 
express  the  felicity  of  the  redeemed  before  the 
throne  of  God !  What  heart  can  conceive  the  un¬ 
speakable  bliss  that  the  ransomed  sinner  shall 
enjoy,  to  all  eternity,  through  the  cross  of 
Christ !  “  Eye  hath  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard, 

neither  have  entered  into  the  heart  of  man  the 
things  which  God  hath  prepared  for  them  that 
love  him.”*  11  In  thy  presence,”  cries  the 
Psalmist,  “  is  fulness  of  joy ;  at  thy  right  hand 
there  are  pleasures  for  evermore.”!  How  differ* 
ent  is  earth  from  heaven ! 

“  Here  griefs,  and  cares,  and  pains, 

And  fears,  distress  us  sore ; 

*  1  Cor.  ii.  9  f  Ps  xlv.  II. 

28 


* . . . 

326  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  OR  .  CIFIED. 


But  there  eternal  pleasure  rrugns, 

And  we  shall  weep  no  more.” 

In  heaven,  the  redeemed  shall  have  fulness 
of  joy.  What  inexpressible  joy  must  fill  their 
souls  when  they  shall  see  the  King  of  Heaven 
in  his  beauty,  when  Jesus  shall  dwell  among 
them  forever  and  ever!  Then  shall  they  be 
ever,  ever  with  the  Lord.  Then  shall  “the 
tabernacle  of  God  be  with  men,  and  he  will 
dwell  with  them,  and  they  shall  be  his  people, 
and  God  himself  shall  be  with  them,  and  be  their 
God.  And  God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears  from 
their  eyes ;  and  there  shall  be  no  more  death, 
neither  sorrow,  nor  crying,  neither  shall  there 
be  any  more  pain ;  for  the  former  things  are 
passed  away.”*  Eternal  felicity  crowns  all  the 
inhabitants  of  heaven.  Eternal  glory  shines 
around  all  the  mansions  of  the  blessed.  The 
celestial  city  is  illuminated  by  the  glory  of  God 
and  the  Lamb.  Of  the  glory  of  that  heavenly 
city,  in  which  the  saints  are  to  spend  ceaseless 
ages,  the  following  lively  description,  founded 
on  the  word  of  God,  is  furnished  by  the  immor¬ 
tal  Bunyan :  “  Kow  just  as  the  gates  were  opened 
to  let  in  the  men,  I  looked  in  after  them,  and 
behold  the  city  shone  like  the  sun  ;  the  streets 


*  Rev.  xxi.  3  4 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED  327 


also  were  paved  witli  gold,  and  in  them  walked 
many  men  with  cro\vns  on  their  heads,  palms 
in  their  hands,  and  golden  harps  to  sing  praises 
withal.  There  were  also  of  them  that  had  wings ; 
and  they  answered  one  another  without  inter¬ 
mission,  saying,  Holy,  holy,  holy,  is  the  Lord. 
And  after  that,  they  shut  up  the  gates ;  which, 
when  I  had  seen,  I  wished  myself  among  them.” 

Those  happy  souls,  who  have  washed  their 
robes,  and  made  them  white  in  the  blood  of  the 
Lamb,  and  who  are  on  this  account  presented 
faultless  before  the  throne  of  God,  shall  “serve 
him  day  and  night  in  his  temple  ;  and  he  that 
sittbth  on  the  throne  shall  dwell  among  them. 
They  shall  hunger  no  more,  neither  thirst  any 
more ;  neither  shall  the  sun  light  on  them,  noi 
any  heat.  For  the  jjamb  which  is  in  the  midst 
of  the  throne  shall  feed  them,  and  shall  lead 
them  unto  living  fountains  of  waters;  God 
shall  wipe  away  all  tears  from  their  eyes.”* 
Who  would  not  glory  in  the  cross  of  Christ, 
when  it  confers  so  many  rich,  eternal  blessings 
upon  a  sinful  world  I  In  short,  all  the  blessings 
that  are  bestowed  upon  the  Christian  in  his  pil¬ 
grimage  through  the  wilderness,  till  he  comes  to 
the  heavenly  Canaan,  and  all  the  felicity  he  en¬ 
joys  in  that  world  of  glory,  flov  directly  from 


*  Rov.  vfl.  15,  17. 


328  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


the  cross  of  Christ.  From  the  cross  of  Christ, 
he  derives  ample  provision  by  the  way,  and 
when  he  reaches  the  mansions  of  glory,  he  eats 
of  the  fruit  of  the  “  tree  of  life”  in  the  midst  of 
the  paradise  of  God.  Here, 

“Jesus  the  bread  of  life  is  giv’n, 

To  be  our  daily  food  ; 

We  drink  a  wondrous  stream  from  heav’n, 

'TIa  water,  wine  and  blood. 

‘Lord,  tis  enough,  I  ask  no  more. 

These  blessings  are  divine; 

I  envjvnot  the  worldling’s  store, 

If  Christ  and  heav’n  are  mine  a 

Blessed  cross  of  a  crucified  Saviour,  that 
brings  such  glory  to  God,  and  such  peace  and 
good-will  to  man ! 

In  conclusion,  let  me  exhort  you  to  glory  in 
the  cross  of  Christ,  through  life  and  all  its  vicis 
sit udes ;  and  when  you  stand  on  the  verge  of  the 
grave,  when  you  feel  the  chilly  embrace  of  the 
last  enemy ;  yes,  when  death  shall  strike  its  darts 
at  your  vitals,  adhering  to  the  banner  of  the 
cross,  you  will  be  enabled  boldly  and  triumph¬ 
antly  to  exclaim,  u  0  death,  where  is  thy  sting? 
0  grave,  where  is  thy  victory?”  When  you 
arise  to  immortality  amid  the  chaos  of  a  crumb¬ 
ling  world,  while  others,  in  despair,  are  calling 
upon  the  mountains  and  the  rocks  to  fall  on 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CAUCfFIED.  329 


them  and  hide  them  from  Him  that  sitteth  on  the 
throne,  then,  dear  believer  in  Jesus,  you  will 
glory  in  the  cross  of  Christ.  As  you  enter  on 
the  saint’s  everlasting  rest,  you  will  triumph  in 
the  cross  of  Jesus;  and  as  you  sail  on  the  vast 
unbounded  ocean  of  eternal  blessedness,  this 
shall  ever  be  the  unchanging  language  of  your 
enraptured  soul,  “God  forbid  that  I  should 
glory  save  in  the  cross  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.'* 


380  OTTRTST  4N.)  HTV  CRUCIFIED. 


CONCLUSION. 

SOLEMN  APPEAL  TO  THE  READER. 

Dear  reader,  allow  the  writer,  before  he  lays 
aside  his  pen,  perhaps  never  to  resume  it,  to  be¬ 
seech  you  to  be  reconciled  to  God — to  embrace 
Christ  and  Him  crucified,  as  your  only  hope. 
You  have  a  precious  immortal  soul  to  be  saved 
or  lost ;  a  soul,  the  value  of  which  exceeds  in 
amount  all  the  wealth  of  the  globe,  yea  of  thou¬ 
sands  of  worlds.  The  value  of  one  immortal 
soul  is  faintly  expressed  by  the  poet : 

“Knowest  thou  the  value  of  a  soul  immortal? 

Behold  this  midnight  glory;  worlds  on  worlds! 

Amazing  pomp!  redouble  this  amaze; 

Ten  thousand  add  ;  add  twice  ten  thousand  more  ; 

Then  weigh  the  whole  ;  one  soul  outweighs  them  all ! 

The  redemption  of  the  soul  is  precious. 
“  What  shall  it  profit  a  man,  if  he  shall  gain  the 
whole  world,  and  lose  his  own  soul  ?  or  what 
shall  a  man  give  in  exchange  for  his  soul?” 
The  soul  is  destined  to  live  through  eternity  in 
the  bright  realms  of  eternal  glory,  or  in  the  dis 
mal  regions  of  eternal  misery  and  despair.  0 
did  you  ever  seriously  think  of  that  solemn  word, 


- 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED  S31 


Eternity!  Eternity!  Forever!  Forever!  Think 
of  it  now.  “Bat  who  can  measure  eternity? 
compared  with  whose  everlasting  lines,  myriads 
of  years  are  infinitely  less  than  atoms  floating  in 
the  midday  sun !  All  thought  is  lost  in  its  im¬ 
mensity,  and  swallowed  up  in  its  fathomless 
abyss.”  Eternity  is  yours — is  mine.  You  shall 
shortly  enter  upon  an  eternity  of  boundless  bliss 
or  unspeakable  misery.  The  trump  of  God  shall 
soon  summon  a  sleeping  world  to  judgment. 
The  eternal  destinies  of  all  men  shall  soon  be 
irrecoverably  fixed.  The  righteous  shall  be  wel¬ 
comed  to  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  where  they 
shall  shine  as  the  sun  forever  and  ever ;  but 
oh  !  how  my  soul  trembles  to  think  of  the  awful 
doom  that  shall  be  pronounced  upon  the  wicked, 
on  those  who  have  rejected  a  crucified  Saviour, 
“  Depart  from  me,  ye  cursed,  into  everlasting  fire, 
prepared  for  the  devil  and  his  angels.” 

Did  you  ever  ask  that  dreadful  question, 
“Who  among  us  shall  dwell  with  devouring 
fire?  who  among  us  shall  dwell  with  everlast¬ 
ing  burnings?”*  Of  the  inhabitants  of  the  pit 
it  is  said,  that  “their  worm  dieth  not,”  and 
there  “  the  fire  is  not  quenched.”  But,  blessed 
be  God,  there  is  a  way,  an  only  way  to  escape 
the  wrath  tc  come.  This  way  is  through  Christ 


*  s.  xxxiii.  14. 


332  CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED. 


and  him  crucified.  “  God  hath  not  appointed 
us  to  wrath,  but  to  obtain  salvation  by  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.”*  Then  flee  to  Christ,  and  you 
shall  be  saved  with  an  everlasting  salvation, 
You  have  a  loving  Saviour.  In  him  compas¬ 
sions  flow.  Eest  in  his  love ;  rely  on  his  atone¬ 
ment,  and  glory  in  his  cross.  Our  parting  ad¬ 
vice  to  you  is,  to  take  refuge  in  Christ  and  him 
crucified ;  and  when  the  last  awful  storm  shall 
arise  to  crush  an  ungodly  world,  it  will  only 
waft  you  into  the  harbor  of  eternal  glory.  To 
the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  we  commend 
you.  In  his  hands  we  leave  you.  May  God 
grant  that  both  reader  and  writer  may  meet  in 
that  world  of  glory,  where  there  is  no  more  sin, 
nor  sorrow,  nor  pain,  nor  death;  and  where 
God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears  from  our  eyes. 
Blessed  with  an  interest  in  Christ  and  him  cru¬ 
cified,  and  cheered  with  the  hope  of  a  glorious 
immortality,  we  will  approach  our  graves  in 
peace ; 

“Like  one  that  draws  the  drapery  of  his  couch 
About  him,  and  lies  down  to  pleasant  dreams 

and  at  that  solemn  period,  the  resurrection  of  a 
sleeping  world,  we  shall  arise  in  a  glorious  im¬ 
mortal  form,  free  from  all  corroding  disease  or 


*  1  Thes.  v.  ix. 


CHRIST,  AND  HIM  CRUCIFIED.  333 


painful  death,  and  surrounded  with  the  ineffable 
glories  of  the  Deity,  we  shall  engage  in  the  sub¬ 
lime  raptures  of  celestial  bliss,  bathe  in  that  pure 
river  of  the  water  of  life  that  flows  through  the 
paradise  of  God,  and  drink  of  those  perennial 
streams  which  issue  from  the  fountain  of  life, 
while  eternal  ages  roll  away. 

“  In  cheerful  hope  my  soul  relies, 

Blest  Saviour,  on  thy  dying  love, 

Until  I  reach  the  blissful  skies, 

And  strike  tlio  g  nuen  Jmrp  abov*3* 


— 


% 


S&aitteriiqis  of  a  filgriK 


PREFACE 


Tbe  design  of  this  essay  is  to  contemplate  the  Christian 
pilgrim’s  journey  through  the  wilderness  of  this  world  to 
that  better  land,  even  the  Heavenly  Canaan — to  point  out, 
briefly,  the  way  by  which  the  Captain  of  our  Salvation 
leads  his  followers  to  glory. 

It  has  been  the  grand  object  of  the  author  to  make  the 
reader  feel  that  he  is  a  stranger  and  a  pilgrim  on  earth — 
to  make  him  realize  the  solemn  truth,  that  man  is  like  to 
vanity;  that  his  days  are  as  a  shadow  which  passeth 
away ;  that  mutability  and  dissolution  are  the  character¬ 
istics  of  all  sublunary  objects ;  that — 

M  All,  on  earth  f  is  shadow  ;  all  beyond 
Is  substance.” 

When  we  look  at  the  brevity  and  vanity  of  human  life, 
we  may  well  exclaim,  in  the  beautiful  and  touching  reflec¬ 
tion  of  Edmund  Burke,  “  What  shadows  we  are ,  and  what 
shadow's  we  jmrsue  /” — and  in  the  similar  impressive  lan¬ 
guage  of  Patrick  Henry,  “ I  am  hat  a  poor  w  orm  of  the  dust , 
as  fleeting  and  unsubstantial  as  the  shadow  of  the  cloud 
that  flies  over  the  fields,  and  is  remembered  no  more  /”* 
Or  we  may  rather  open  the  pages  of  Holy  Writ,  and  say, 
with  the  wisest  of  men,  “Vanity  of  vanities ;  all  is  vanity 
and  with  othp  mspired  penmen,  “  As  for  man,  his  days 
are  as  grass ;  as  a  flower  of  the  field  so  he  flourisheth : 
for  the  wind  passeth  over  it,  and  it  is  gone ;  and  the  place 
thereof  snail  know  it  no  more.” — “For  what  is  your  life? 


♦  This  essay  was  composed  during  the  preparation  of  a  large  we'rk 
entitled  “The  most  Eminent  Orators  and  Statesmen  of  the  World  ami 
tn  writing  the  memoirs  of  Burke  and  Henry  the  author  was  so  deeply 
fmoressod  with  these  touching  thoughts  wbict  occur  in  their  lives,  that 
he  :annct  help  repeating  them  here. 

29 


338 


PREFACE. 


It  is  even  a  vapor,  that  appearetli  for  a  ittle  time,  and 
then  vanisheth  away.” 

''  Amidst  the  excitement  and  bustle  of  a  busy  world,  it  is 
to  be  feared  that  the  Christian  too  often  forgets  his  true 
character  as  a  pilgrim,  journeying  to  mansions  of  glory  in 
the  skies.  Too  apt  is  he  to  place  his  affections  upon  those 
terrestrial  objects  by  which  he  is  surrounded  in  his  pil¬ 
grimage  How  often  is  this  the  case  with  the  young 
Christian,  over  whom  the  world,  with  its  delusive  pleas¬ 
ures,  exercises  such  a  fascinating  power . 

The  author  would  earnestly  and  affectionately  entreat 
the  young  reader  to  pause  with  this  solemn  reflection,  1 
am  but  a  traveller  here.  Remember  that  you  are  pass¬ 
ing  rapidly  through  a  scene  of  shadows  and  death  to 
a  state  of  eternal  realities.  0,  then,  we  beseech  you  to 
live,  as  God’s  dear  children,  above  the  world,  with  your 
eye  directed  to  that  blessed  Home  in  your  Heavenly 
Father’s  House,  where  the  wicked  shall  cease  from  troub¬ 
ling,  and  where  the  weary  are  at  rest. 

Should  the  few  plain  words  here  written  be  the  means 
of  inducing  any  to  pass  the  time  of  their  sojourning  here 
in  the  fear  of  God — of  persuading  them  to  live  and  walk 
by  faith  in  Christ — to  rely,  entirely,  on  His  atoning  blood 
for  salvation — the  author  will  desire  no  other  reward  than 
the  happiness  of  knowing  that  he  has  been  an  humble  in¬ 
strument,  in  the  hand  of  God,  for  doing  good. 

This  essay  is  now  cast,  as  a  mite,  into  the  treasury  of 
Biblical  Literature,  and  commended  to  the  blessing  of 
Heaven.  May  it  cheer  the  Christian  pilgrim  as  he  jour¬ 
neys  through  this  world  of  sin  and  sorrow,  and  lead  him 
to  strive  more  earnestly  for  the  glory,  honor,  and  immor¬ 
tality  of  heaven, — to  cleave  more  closely  to  Jesus,  and  to 
labor  more  zealously  in  his  cause,  so  that,  when  he  comes 
to  pass  the  vale  of  life  he  may  enter  the  abodes  of  im¬ 
mortal  glory,  and  receive  the  Saviour’s  plaudit  and  wel¬ 
come,  “  Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant;  enter  thou 
into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord.  Come,  ye  blessed  of  my  Father, 
inherit  the  kingdom  prepared  for  you  from  the  foundation 
of  the  world.” 


Argyle,  N.  Y,,  Nov.,  1856. 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM. 


CHAPTER  I. 

THIS  WORLD  A  WILDERNESS  ;  AND  THE  CHRISTIAN  A 

PILGRIM. 

“  For  we  are  strangers  before  tliee,  and  sojourners,  as 
were  all  our  fathers :  our  days  on  the  earth  are  as  a 
shadow,  and  there  is  none  abiding.” — 1  Chrox.  xxix.  15. 


Beyond  this  darksome  vale  of  tears  and 
death  there  lies  a  bright  and  joyous  region  of 
immortality,  where  weary  pilgrims  meet  to  stray 
no  more.  In  that  happy  land  their  wanderings 
will  have  forever  terminated,  and  they  shall  sit 
down  in  everlasting  repose  under  the  delightful 
shadow  of  the  Tree  of  Life,  in  the  midst  of  the 
paradise  of  God,  and  enjoy  through  the  bliss¬ 
ful  ages  of  glory,  the  presence  and  smiles  of 
that  Friend  and  Saviour  who,  in  the  tenderest 
love  for  them,  once  poured  out  his  own  most 
precious  blood  on  Calvary,  that  he  might  pre¬ 
sent  them,  faultless,  before  the  throne  of  Heaven 


340  WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM 


0  how  transcendently  gloricus  must  be  the  fa* 
ture  eternal  home  of  the  Christian  pilgrim ! 
On  those  golden  plains  beyond  the  river  of 
death,  rays  of  divine  glory  are  beaming  in  full 
effulgence.  There,  the  Sun  of  Righteousness 
is  shining  in  all  his  meridian  splendor,  making 
eternity  one  constant  noontide  of  untold  and  in¬ 
describable  glory  and  blessedness — a  day  with¬ 
out  clouds.  There,  our  Immanuel  shall  be  as 
the  “  light  of  the  morning  when  the  sun  riseth, 
even  a  morning  without  clouds.”  Eternal  day 
will  dawn  without  a  cloud.  No  gloom  or  dark¬ 
ness  will  ever  overspread  those  blissful  realms 
beyond  the  shores  of  time.  The  celestial  world 
will  always  be  irradiated  by  the  glory  of  God 
and  the  Lamb,  and  the  redeemed  shall  ever 
bask  in  the  gladsome  sunshine  of  Infinite  Love. 
In  that  bright  home  of  pilgrims,  the  Saviour 
will  conduct  his  ransomed  ones  to  living  foun¬ 
tains  of  waters, — streams  of  immortal  joys,  and 
God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears.  In  the  presence 
of  Jesus  there  is  fulness  of  joy;  at  his  right 
hand  there  are  pleasures  for  evermore.  Eye 
hath  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard,  nor  has  the  hu¬ 
man  heart  ever  conceived  those  things  which 
God  has  prepared  for  them  that  love  him.  An 
exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory  will 
crown  every  pilgrim  who  has  found  the  happy 
shores  of  Immanuel’s  Land.  In  the  Palace  of 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM.  341 


the  King  of  kings,  all  will  be  perfectly  blessed, 
and  from  that  “  building  of  God,  that  house  not 
made  with  hands,”  tljere  shall  be  no  more  going 
out;  but  we  shall  ever  be  with  the  Lord,  behold¬ 
ing  his  glory  and  enjoying  the  soul-ravishing 
manifestations  of  his  endearing  love.  0,  happy 
abode  of  Zion’s  pilgrims  I  0,  sweet  and  pleas¬ 
ant  clime,  where  the  balmy  zephyrs  of  Heaven 
refresh  the  weary  soul ;  where  there  floweth  not 
a  tear ;  where  there  entereth  not  a  pain  ;  where 
death  itself  shall  be  swallowed  up  in  victory  I 
This  is  the  heritage  of  them  that  fear  the  Lord. 

But  before  our  feet  stand  on  the  blissful 
shores  of  the  heavenly  Canaan,  we  have  to 
pass  through  a  wilderness  scene.  This  world  is 
that  wilderness,  where  Zion’s  pilgrims  wander 
till  they  are  taken  home  to  glory.  It  is  a 
thorny  pathway  that  leads  to  the  realms  of 
eternal  day;  but,  by  the  grace  of  God,  the 
Christian  is  enabled  to  hold  on  the  good  way 
with  joy,  till  he  passes  through  the  wilderness 
and  over  Jordan,  more  than  a  conqueror  through 
Jesus,  and  takes  up  his  seraphic  song  of  tri¬ 
umph  amid  the  undying  splendors  of  immor 
tality. 

In  this  little  volume  it  is  our  design,  as  has 
been  stated,  to  contemplate  the  Christian  in  his 
pilgrimage  to  the  promised  land — the  happy 
home  cf  ah  the  true  followers  of  Jesus. 

29=* 


342  WANDERINGS  OF  X  PILGRIM 


In  this  chapter  there  are  two  prominent  ideas 
which  recur  in  our  mind,  and  which  deserve  our 
serious  consideration. 

1st.  This  world  is  a  wilderness. 

2d.  The  Christian  is  a  pilgrim  here. 

1.  To  every  child  of  God  this  world ,  with  all  its 
conceived  pleasures ,  is  nothing  but  a  wilderness , — 
far  from  his  Father's  House  ;  far  from  that  goodly 
land  which  he  so  ardently  longs  to  see  and  to  pos¬ 
sess.  This  is  the  view  which  every  saint  takes 
of  earth ;  and  it  is  a  just  one.  What  the  wil¬ 
derness  was  to  the  children  of  Israel  in  their 
journey  to  the  promised  land,  this  decaying 
scene  is  to  the  believer  in  his  progress  heaven¬ 
ward.  It  is  not  his  rest;  it  is  not  his  home. 
On  the  contrary,  it  is  a  wilderness  world  of 
trouble,  from  which  he  is  coming  up  to  the 
mansions  above.  The  dark,  rugged  pathway 
lies  through  imminent  dangers  and  difficulties, 
which  sometimes  rise  like  mountains  before  the 
Christian  pilgrim,  and  threaten  to  retard  his 
march  to  the  land  of  immortalitv.  But  it  is  a 
blessed  consolation  to  know  that  Jesus  guards 
the  way  to  Mount  Zion ;  that  he  will  suffer  no 
evil  to  befall  us ;  that  even  here,  in  this  vale  of 
tears,  all  things  shall  work  together  for  our 
good. 

The  sorrows  and  bereavements  of  life  render 
this  earth  a  trying  wil  lerness  world  to  the  child 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM.  343 


of  God.  Here,  the  winds  of  adversity  and  floods 
of  sorrow  sweep  along  our  path,  making  us 
long  to  reach  the  blissful  hill  of  Zion,  wli^re 
“no  chilling  blasts  annoy,” — where  all  is  bloom¬ 
ing  with  immortal  love  and  peace.  Here,  we 
are  almost  constantly  distressed  with  difficulties, 
cares,  pains,  and  griefs,  which  render  this  a 
weary  land — “  a  land  of  deserts  and  of  pits,  a 
land  of  drought,  and  of  the  shadow  of  death.” 

It  is  sin  that  makes  this  world  a  wilderness  to 
the  saint.  On  account  of  the  sin  in  his  heart,  he 
often  faints,  and  is  ready  to  die;  he  feels  that 
this  is  indeed  a  valley  of  weeping,  and  longs  to 
arrive  at  the  borders  of  the  wilderness,  that  he 
may  cross  into  Canaan. 

Besides  all  this,  he  has  to  encounter,  in  his 
journey,  violent  opposition  from  an  ungodly, 
persecuting  world.  This  makes  him  cry  out, 
with  the  Psalmist,  “  Woe  is  me,  that  I  sojourn 
in  Mesecli,  that  I  dwell  in  the  tents  of  Kedarl 
My  soul  hath  long  dwelt  with  him  that  hateth 
peace.”  In  the  world,  there  are  fightings  with¬ 
out,  and  fears  within.  How  unlike  this  dark 
bode  of  sin  and  misery  are  those  radiant  man¬ 
sions  far  bejmr.d  the  starry  sky!  There  the 
wicked  cease  frojn  troubling;  and  there  the 
weary  are  at  rest. 

2.  The  Christian  is  a  pilgrim  here . — He  has 
only  a  temporary  residence  in  this  vale  of  tears; 


344  WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRxM 


his  abiding  home  is  in  that  world  “where  me* 
mentary  ages  are  no  more.”  Now  he  is  on  his 
journey  to  those  tearless,  blissful  regions  where 
he  is  to  spend  the  ceaseless,  revolving  ages  of 
eternity. 

When  the  children  of  Israel  were  in  the  wil¬ 
derness,  they  had  no  permanent  residence,  but 
were  continually  roving  about  from  place  to 
place;  journeying  to  that  goodly  land  which 
flowed  with  milk  and  honey,  and  which  was 
then  the  glory  of  all  lands;  “a  land  of  brooks 
of  water,  of  fountains  and  depths  that  spring 
out  of  valleys  and  hills;  a  land  of  wheat,  and 
barley,  and  vines,  and  fig  trees,  and  pomegran¬ 
ates;  a  land  of  oil-olive  and  honey.”  So  the 
believer  is  a  pilgrim  on  earth,  with  no  continu¬ 
ing  city,  nor  certain  place  of  abode,  travelling 
through  a  dreary  wilderness  to  that  city  which 
shines  in  the  highest  noon  of  glory  ;  to  that  land 
of  blessedness  and  immortality,  where  perennial 
streams  of  bliss  issue  from  the  eternal  Fountain 
of  Life  to  refresh  the  weary  soul,  and  where  we 
may  freely  eat  of  the  fruit  of  the  Tree  of  Life, 
in  the  midst  of  the  paradise  of  God. 

How  impressive  is  the  language  of  Moses  to 
Hobab,  in  the  wilderness :  “We  are  journeying 
unto  the  place  of  which  the  Lori  said,  I  will 
give  it  you.”  The  hosts  of  Israel,  instead  of 
rnak’.ng  their  a1  odr  in  the  waste,  howling  wild 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM.  345 


erness,  were  marching  forward  to  obtain  posses¬ 
sion  of  that  land  which*  the  Lord  “  sware  unto 
their  fathers,  •  Abraham,  Isaac,  and  Jacob,  to 
give  unto  them  and  to  their  seed  after  them.” 
Like  those  ancient  pilgrims,  we  have  a  promised 
land  in  view,  and  onward  is  our  motto.  Instead 
of  seeking  our  home  and  our  happiness  in  a 
perishing  world,  we  are  pressing  on  to  that  glo¬ 
rious  kingdom  which  Jesus,  in  his  boundless 
love,  has  gone  to  prepare  for  our  reception,  and 
which  he  has  promised  to  bestow  on  all  them 
that  love  him;  for  he  says:  “I  appoint  unto 
you  a  kingdom,  as  my  Father  hath  appointed 
unto  me ;  that  ye  may  eat  and  drink  at  my  table, 
in  my  kingdom,  and  sit  on  thrones,  judging  the 
twelve  tribes  of  Israel.”  And  again;  “Fear 
not,  little  flock;  for  it  is  your  Father’s  good 
pleasure  to  give  you  the  kingdom.”  So  the 
Christian  pilgrim,  animated  by  such  precious 
promises,  has  good  hope,  through  grace,  of  gain¬ 
ing  the  happy  shores  of  Canaan ;  of  possessing 
the  heavenly  inheritance — of  making  his  eternal 
abode  in  the  courts  of  Paradise;  ard  of  sitting 
down  with  Abraham,  Isaac  and  Jacob,  at  the 
banquet  of  redeeming  love,  in  the  kingdom  of 
God.  With  such  glorious  prospects  in  view,  no 
wonder  that  he  should  look  upon  earth  as  a  bar¬ 
ren,  homeless  world  ;  that  he  should  feel  like  a 
stranger  and  sojourner  in  it  No  wonder  tha# 


846  WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM. 


he  should  speed  his  earthly  flight  to  reach  the 
blissful  skies. 

We  are  entreated  by  a  compassionate  Saviour 
to  seek  the  better  country.  In  the  wilderness, 
the  divine  injunction  to  the  children  of  Israel  was 
to  march  forward  to  the  land  of  promise :  “And 
the  Lord  said  *anto  Moses,  Depart  and  go  up 
hence,  thou  and  the  people  which  thou  hast 
brought  vrp  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt,  unto  the 
land  which  I  sware  unto  Abraham,  to  Isaac, 
and  to  Jacob,  saying,  unto  thy  seed  will  I  give 
it.”  The  same  solemn  command,  reminding  us 
of  our  short  pilgrimage  on  earth,  is  sounding  in 
our  ears.  It  is  the  entreating  voice  of  the 
Saviour,  calling  upon  us  to  forsake  this  present 
evil  world,  and  seek  our  portion  in  the  fair 
realms  of  eternal  day.  It  is  a  voice  of  com¬ 
passion  and  love  that  says  to  us,  “  Arise  ye,  and 
depart;  for  this  is  not  your  rest.  Seek  ye  first 
the  kingdom  of  God,  and  his  righteousness.” 
The  Christian  pilgrim  obeys  the  divine  injunc¬ 
tion  ;  sets  forward  on  his  journey ;  leaves  the 
world,  looks  beyond  this  dying  scene,  gazes  on 
the  celestial  Canaan,  till  its  glories  beam  upon 
his  soul,  till  he  breathes  the  pure  atmosphere  of 
the  upper  world,  till  his  ear  hears  the  glorious 
melody  of  heaven  and  his  eye  catches  a  glimpse 
of  the  king  in  his  beauty,  and  of  the  land  that  is 
afar  off.  0  says  the  weary  pilgrim,  as  onwa:*d 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM.  347 


he  journeys  with  his  eye  directed  towards  the 
heavenly  Canaan.  In  yonder  glorious  world  is 
my  rest  and  abiding  home.  Yes: 

“There  is  my  house  amd  portion  fair; 

My  treasure  and  my  heart  are  there, 

And  my  abiding  home  ; 

For  me  my  elder  brethren  stay, 

And  angels  beckon  me  away, 

And  Jesus  bids  me  come  I” 

The  Christian  confesses  that  he  is  a  pilgrim 
here. 

All  the  children  of  Zion — all  who  have  ever 
travelled  to  the  Canaan  on  high,  have  acknowl¬ 
edged  that  they  were  strangers  and  pilgrims  in 
this  wilderness  world.  Of  those  ancient  worthies 
who  died  in  faith, — m  the  bright  hope  of  a 
blessed  immortality  beyond  the  darksome  grave, 
and  wh©  are  held  up  in  the  precious  volume  of 
inspiration,  for  our  imitation  in  the  Christian 
life — it  is  said,  they  11  confessed  that  they  were 
strangers  and  pilgrims  on  the  earth.”  To  this 
land  of  shadows  and  of  death,  their  views  were 
not  confined.  No.  They  looked  higher  than 
earth.  They  desired  a  better  country,  that  is, 
a  heavenly ;  wherefore  God  is  not  ashamed  to 
be  called  their  God ;  for  he  hath  prepared  for 
them  a  city.  Of  Abraham,  it  is  said  that  he 
sojourned  in  the  land  of  promise,  a?  in  a  strange 


848  WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM. 


country,  dwelling  in  tabernacles  with.  Isaac  and 
Jacob,  the  heirs  with' him  of  the  same  promise; 
for  he  looked  for  a  city  which  hath  foundations, 
whose  builder  and  maker  is  God  The  earthly 
Canaan  was  but  a  type  of  the  heavenly ;  and 
therefore  the  patriarchs,  overlooking  the  passing 
scenes  of  a  sublunary  world,  elevated  their  views 
to  the  true  land  of  promise  beyond  the  skies. 

In  contemplating  his  present  state,  each  child 
of  God  is  ready  to  exclaim  with  the  Psalmist, 
when  addressing  his  Heavenly  Father  in  earnest 
prayer,  u  I  am  a  stranger  with  thee,  and  a  so¬ 
journer,  as  all  my  fathers  were.”  His  feelings 
with  regard  to  earthly  objects  are  beautifully 
expressed  in  the  glowing  language  of  the  Chris¬ 
tian  poet: 

“  Nothing  on  earth  I  call  my  own , 

A  stranger  to  the  world,  unknown, 

I  all  their  goods  despise : 

I  trample  on  their  whole  delight, 

And  seek  a  city  out  of  sight, 

A  city  in  the  skies. 

•  ^ 

“  Not  a  foot  of  land  do  I  possess; 

No  cottage  in  this  wilderness : 

A  poor,  wayfaring  man  ; 

I  lodge  awhile  in  tents  below, 

Or  gladly  wander  to  and  fro, 

Till  I  my  Canaan  gain.” 

Thus  the  Christian  pursues  his  journey  and 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM.  J49 


pitches  his  tent  nearer  and  nearer  Canaan,  till 
he  reaches  the  banks  of  Jordan,  where  some  ap¬ 
pointed  herald  of  glory  is  ready  to  conduct  his 
happy  spirit  to  the  bosom  of  Abraham — to  the 
mansions  of  rest — to  the  paradise  of  God. 

The  believer’s  life  is  a  progressive  one.  All 
the  true  followers  of  Jesus  are  daily  advancing 
in  their  journey  towards  the  realms  of  peace. 
They  go  on,  from  strength  to  strength,  through 
this  wilderness  scene,  until  every  one  of  them 
appeareth  before  God  in  the  celestial  Zion. 
Their  ^earnest  and  continued  endeavors  are  to  get 
nearer  Heaven,  to  become  ripe  for  glory ;  hence, 
forgetting  the  things  which  are  behind,  and 
reaching  forth  unto  those  which  are  before,  they 
press  toward  the  mark  for  the  prize  of  the  high 
calling  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus.  They  are  not 
satisfied  with  their  present  life  in  the  wilderness. 
It  has  but  little  attractions  for  them.  They  are 
not  conformed  to  the  world.  They  do  not  think 
of  making  their  abode  in  this  valley  of  weeping; 
but  onward  they  travel  towards  the  land  of 
Catiaan — that  pleasant  region  which  lies  beyond 
the  Jordan  of  death.  Their  course  is  upward. 
“All  Christians,”  says  the  pious  McCheyne,* 
u  are  coming  up  out  of  the  wilderness.  Sabbath 
days  are  like  milestones — marking  our  way ;  or 

*  This  refers  to  his  journey  *  -  Palestine  in  1839. 

30 


850  wanderings  of  a  pilg  *im\ 


rather,  thej^  are  like  the  wells  we  used  to  come 
to  at  evening.  Every  real  Christian  is  making 
progress.  If  the  sheep  are  on  the  shoulder  of 
the  shepherd,  they  are  always  getting  nearer  the 
fold.  With  some,  the  shepherd  takes  long  steps. 
Dear  Christians,  you  should  be  advancing,  get¬ 
ting  higher,  nearer  to  Canaan,  riper  for  glory. 
In  the  south  of  Russia,  the  country  is  of  vast  plains, 
rising  by  steppes.  Dear  friends,  you  should 
get  on  to  a  higher  place,  up  another  step  every 
Sabbath  day.  In  travelling,  you  never  think  of 
making  a  house  in  the  wilderness.  So,  dear 
friends,  do  not  take  up  your  rest  here ;  we  are 
journeying.  Let  all  your  endeavors  be  to  get 
on  in  your  journey.” 

We  would  earnestly  invite  you,  gentle  reader, 
to  accompany  us  in  our  pilgrimage  to  the  hea¬ 
venly  country.  We  would  beseech  you,  with 
the  utmost  compassion  for  your  immortal  soul, 
to  forsake  the  path  of  death,  and  follow  the  way 
of  life — the  way  to  undying  glory  and  felicity. 
In  a  word,  we  would  most  affectionately  say  to 
you  as  Moses  did  to  Hobab,  “We  are  journey¬ 
ing  unto  the  place  of  which  the  Lord  said,  I  will 
give  it  you :  come  thou  with  us,  and  we  will  do 
thee  good:  for  the  Lrrd  hath  spoken  good  con¬ 
cerning  Israel.” 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM.  35a 


CHAPTER  II. 

COMSirWCEMENT  OF  THE  CHRISTIAN’S  JOURNEY - DIFFI* 

CULTIES  IN  THE  WAY. 

“We  must  through  much  tribulation  enter  into  the  king¬ 
dom  of  God.” — Acts,  xiv.  22. 

Let  us  adore  the  grace  that  seeks 
To  draw  our  hearts  above! 

Attend,  ’tis  God  the  Saviour  speaks, 

And  ev’ry  word  is  love. 

Ho  man  begins  tlie  journey  to  the  Heavenly 
Home,  until  by  tlie  gracious  influence  of  tbe 
Holy  Spirit,  His  soul  is  attracted  to  CHrist,  tHe 
Living  Way,  tHe  Truth,  and  the  Life.  At  that 
Happy  Hour  when  the  Heart  is  opened,  and  the 
understanding  enlightened  to  discern  spiritual 
things,  the  Saviour’s  love  is  the  first  to  beam  in 
mild,  sweet,  constraining  influence  upon  the 
soul  of  the  renewed  man.  He  wonders  that  He 
was  not  able  before  to  discern  the  beauty,  the 
excellence  and  glory  of  Immanuel.  How,  Jesus 
appears  to  Him  tlie  cliiefest  among  ten  thousand, 
and  altogether  lovely.  How,  He  is  ready  to  ex  • 
claim,  “My  beloved  is  mine,  and  i  am  His. 
Whom  Have  I  in  Heaven  but  thee?  and  there  is 
none  upon  earth  that  I  desire  besides  thee.1' 

Thus  enlightened  by  divine  grace,  the  pilgrim 


852  WANDERINGS  OF  A  IlLGKIM 


turns  from  the  City  of  Destruction  t<  the 
Heavenly  Mansions.  He  leaves  the  cro\i*ded 
?oad  which  leadeth  to  eternal  darkness  and  woe, 
and  enters  on  the  narrow  pathway  that  conducts 
the  weary  traveller  to  realms  of  light  and  bliss. 
The  star  of  Bethlehem  is  his  guide, — the  pro¬ 
mises  of  God’s  word,  his  rod  and  staff;  and 
heaven,  his  everlasting,  happy  home.  His  views 
are  now  elevated  above  the  decaying  objects 
around  him.  His  affections  are  placed  upon 
things  above.  He  contemplates  with  rapturous 
delight  the  bleeding  glories  of  Immanuel,  and 
the  shining  abode  of  Zion’s  pilgrims  in  the  celes¬ 
tial  kingdom.  He  is  risen  with  Jesus.  He  has 
become  a  spiritually  minded  man.  He  lives  and 
walks  by  faith  in  the  Son  of  God.  Though  in 
the  world,  he  is  no  longer  of  it ;  but  belongs  to 
the  kingdom  of  Jesus  Christ.  As  an  heir  of 
glory,  as  a  traveller  to  the  skies,  as  an  expectant 
of  eternal  bliss,  he  looks  above  and  beyond  the 
troublesome  scenes  of  a  fleeting  pilgrimage. 
He  enjoys  the  charming  and  sublime  prospect 
beyond  the  precincts  of  time !  He  beholds  in 
that  brighter  world,  an  ocean  of  glory,  without 
a  shore,  and  without  a  storm ! 

As  the  Christian  pursues  his  journey,  with 
his  eye  fixed  on  the  solemn  realities  of  eternity, 
earth  and  sublunary  grandeur  appear  to  him  as 
transitory  as  the  morning  cloud  and  early  dew 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM.  353 


compared  with,  those  immeasurable  ages  of  bliss, 
which  roll  before  his  transported  vision. 

A  traveller  on  his  journey,  loves  to  cherish 
the  endearing  thoughts  of  home  and  domestic 
happiness.  Nothing  is  so  dear  to  him  in  all  his 
wanderings  as  the  fireside  of  his  fathers — the 
land  of  his  birth.  In  like  manner,  he  who  has 
been  constrained,  by  the  Saviour’s  love,  to  begin 
the  blessed  journey  from  the  wilderness  of  this 
world  to  the  heavenly  Canaan,  will  delight  to 
meditate  on  the  riches  and  glory  of  his  Father’s 
house,  in  the  pure,  unclouded  realms  of  eternal 
day.  The  Jerusalem  above  will  be  dearer  to 
him  than  any  earthly  object.  His  language  will 
be:  “If  I  forget  thee,  0  Jerusalem,  let  my  right 
hand  forget  her  cunning.  If  I  do  not  remember 
thee,  let  my  tongue  cleave  to  the  roof  of  my 
mouth ;  if  I  prefer  not  Jerusalem  above  my 
chief  joy.”  In  every  stage  of  his  pilgrimage, 
the  Christian  loves  to  think  of  that  better  land, 
his  true,  abiding  home,  where  he  shall  sing 
triumphant  songs  of  praise  to  his  Redeemer,  and 
his  God. 

We  have  thus  hinted  at  the  pleasing  view 
which  opens  to  him  from  whose  eyes  the  scales 
of  unbelief  have  fallen, — who  is  enabled  to  look 
at  eternal  things  in  the  light  of  God’s  word ;  and 
who  has  set  out  upon  the  Christian’s  journey,  to 
the  celestial  city.  We  shall  now  notice  a  few 


854  WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM. 


of  the  difficulties  which  lie  in  the  way  to  glory 
for  no  sooner  does  the  pilgrim  enter  on  the  path 
of  the  just  than  he  meets  with  obstacles.  We 
mention  three  sources  from  which  the  Christian 
may  expect  to  meet  with  great  opposition  in 
fighting  the  good  fight  of  faitn. 

1.  The  World.  —  The  world  with  its  sinful 
pleasures  and  enjoyments  is  calculated  to  cap¬ 
tivate  the  affections,  enchain  the  heart  and  im  • 
pede  the  pilgrim’s  progress  to  the  heavenly  rest. 
A  thousand  fascinating  charms  are  thrown 
around  his  pathway  through  this  bewildering 
world.  In  city  and  in  country;  on  land  and 
on  sea — everywhere ,  the  soldier  of  the  cross  is 
surrounded  by  spiritual  dangers  and  difficulties. 

Yet  the  clear  path  to  thine  abode, 

Lies  through  this  horrid  land  ; 

Lord,  we  would  trace  the  dangerous  road, 

And  run  at  thy  command. 

Love  of  the  world  is  one  great  means  of  retard¬ 
ing  our  journey  to  the  skies.  0,  how  many  have 
turned  aside  from  following  the  blessed  Jesus, 
by  placing  all  their  affections  upon  this  present, 
fleeting  scene,  which  in  a  very  few  years  at  most 
will  profit  them  nothing!  “Demas  hath  for¬ 
saken  me,  having  loved  this  present  world.”  See 
to  it,  Christian,  that  you  love  not  the  world.  By 
fa’th  behold  the  cross  of  Christ,  and  the  bleed- 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM.  855 


ing  glories  of  Calvary,  and  this  world  with  all 
its  riches  and  honors  will  become  a  dim  and 
dying  object  in  your  view. 

“Then,  pilgrim,  let  thy  joys  and  fear3 
On  time  no  longer  lean  ; 

But  henceforth  all  thy  hopes  and  fears 
From  earth’s  affections  wean.” 

Obey  the  warning  voice  of  mercy  if  you  would 
each  the  blissful  shore :  11  Love  not  the  world, 
•ither  the  things  that  are  in  the  world.  If  any 
m  love  the  world,  the  love  of  the  Father  is 
r.  in  him.” 

Notwithstanding  the  Christian’s  endeavors  to 
j  )  above  the  world,  and  near  to  God,  how 
oh  en  is  he  compelled  to  cry  out  with  the  Psalmist : 
‘My  soul  cleaveth  unto  the  dust:  quicken  thou 
me  according  to  thy  word.” 

“From  earth,  and  all  its  empty  joys, 

Blest  Jesus,  set  me  free ; 

How  vain  the  worldling’s  gilded  toys, 

Compared  with  heaven  and  theel 

“  Thou  art  my  hope,  my  way,  my  bliss, 

My  glory,  and  my  crown; 

Descend,  thou  blessed  Prince  of  Peace, 

And  make  my  heart  thy  throne.” 

We  must  also  expect  to  meet  with  opposition 
from  an  unbelieving  world.  Those  who  have 


356  WANDERINGS  OF  A 


L  G  RIM. 


their  part  and  portion  here  do  not  love  them 
who  have  chosen  a  better  inheritance  above. 
The  world  hates  a  true  follower  of  the  Lamb. 
Jesus  was  himself  the  object  of  their  hatred. 
No  wonder  then  that  his  followers  should  meet 
with  the  same  reception  from  unbelievers.  The 
Saviour  says  to  his  disciples :  “  If  the  world  hate 
you,  ye  know  that  it  hated  me  before  it  hated  you. 
If  ye  were  of  the  world,  the  world  would  love 
his  own ;  but  because  ye  are  not  of  the  world, 
but  I  have  chosen  you  out  of  the  world,  there 
fore  the  world  hatetli  you.”  It  has  been  truly 
said  that  if  we  are  faithful,  we  must  indeed  ex¬ 
pect  reproach ;  if  we  boldly  confess  Christ  be¬ 
fore  men,  and  steadily  maintain  that  marked 
distinction  which  forms  the  line  of  separation 
between  the  church  and  the  world,  we  must 
submit  to  have  our  names  cast  out  as  evil. 

2.  The  Devil. — The  Christian  pilgrim  will 
meet  with  opposition  from  Satan.  “For  we 
wrestle  not  against  flesh  and  blood,  but  against 
principalities,  against  powers,  against  the  rulers 
of  the  darkness  of  this  world,  against  spiritual 
wickedness  in  high  places.”  The  inspired 
writers  give  us  directions  how  we  are  to  meet 
and  vanquish  this  arch  enemy  of  souls.  Be 
sober,  be  vigilant;  because  your  adversary,  ths 
devu,  as  a  roaring  lion,  walketh  about,  seeking 
whom  he  may  devour ;  whom  resist  steadfast  in 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  PIIiotRIk  357 


the  faith  (1  Peter ,  v.  8,  9).  Resist  the  devil,  and 
he  will  flee  from  you  (James,  iv.  7).  Put  on  the 
whole  armor  of  God,  that  ye  may  be  able  to 
stand  against  the  wiles  of  the  devil.  Stand 
therefore,  having  your  loins  girt  about  with 
truth,  and  having  on  the  breast-plate  of  righte¬ 
ousness;  and  your  feet  shod  with  the  preparation 
of  the  gospel  of  peace;  above  all,  taking  the 
shield  of  faith,  wherewith  ye  shall  be  able  to 
quench  all  the  fiery  darts  of  the  wicked.  And 
take  the  helmet  of  salvation,  and  the  sword  of 
the  Spirit,  which  is  the  word  of  God ;  praying 
always  with  all  prayer  and  supplication  in  the 
Spirit,  and  watching  thereunto  with  all  perseve¬ 
rance  and  supplication  for  all  saints.  (Epli.  vi. 
11,  18.)  Let  us  follow  this  advice,  and  we  shall 
win  a  glorious  victory,  and  receive  an  immortal 
crown.  The  God  of  peace  shall  bruise  Satan 
under  our  feet  shortly.  In  the  arms  of  Jesus 
we  shall  be  safe,  eternally  safe  from  the  attacks 
of  our  subtle  adversary.  Satan  will  never  be 
able  to  pluck  a  single  believing  soul  from  the 
hands  of  an  Almighty  Saviour.  Animated  by 
such  a  consideration,  let  us  press  forward  in  our 
pilgrimage,  armed  with  the  panoply  of  Heaven ; 
and  in  a  little  while  the  Satanic  conflict  will  be 
over;  then  we  shall  take  up  sweet,  unending 
songs  of  triumph  in  that  happy  place,  where  the 


358  WANBFRING3  OF  A  PILGRIM. 


wicked  cease  from  troubling,  and  where  the 

weary  are  at  rest. 

*/ 

8.  The  Flesh. — Another  enemy,  with  which 
the  Christian  will  have  to  contend  until  this 
mortal  shall  have  put  on  immortality,  is  the 
flesh.  As  the  believer  is  never  perfectly  sancti¬ 
fied  in  this  life,  the  remains  of  corruption  in  his 
heart  must  be  a  source  of  continual  annoyance 
to  him  in  coming  up  from  the  wilderness  to  the 
land  of  perfection  and  bliss.  Here,  the  flesh 
lusteth  against  the  spirit,  and  the  spirit  against 
the  flesh.  The  Canaanites  are  still  in  the  land ; 
and  the  soldier  of  the  cross  must  be  always  on 
his  guard,  lest  they  surprise  and  overcome  him. 
“  The  remainders  of  corruption  require  continual 
watchfulness  and  circumspection,  lest  they  in¬ 
crease  and  regain  their  former  possession  of  the 
heart.  Sin  still  dwelling  in  the  believer,  causes 
that  warfare,  which  must  never  cease  till  this 
body  is  laid  in  the  grave,  never  more  to  harass 
the  disembodied  spirit,  encircled  with  heavenly 
glory.”  How  often  has  the  remaining  depravity 
of  the  human  heart  made  the  good  man  weep 
and  bend,  as  under  an  insupportable  load,  and 
long  to  be  freed  from  the  bitter  thraldom  of  sin¬ 
ful  flesh !  This  made  Paul  cry  out  in  the  bitter¬ 
ness  of  his  soul,  u  0  wretched  man  that  I  am ! 
who  shall  deliver  me  from  the  body  of  this 
death?”  But  almost  with  the  same  breath  he 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM.  359 


exclaims,  as  he  sees  the  Great  Deliverer,  “  I 
thank  God,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.” 
Here,  then,  is  our  strength  and  deliverance. 
Jesus  is  the  salvation  of  Israel.  In  Him  we 
shall  obtain  complete  dominion  over  the  corrup¬ 
tions  of  our  nature.  IIow  reanimating  to  hear 
that  sweet  promise  whispered  in  our  ears,  while 
we  are  still  in  an  enemy’s  land,  “  My  grace  is 
sufficient  for  thee :  for  my  strength  is  made  per¬ 
fect  in  weakness.” 

Then,  if  we  would  overcome  all  the  diffi¬ 
culties  which  lie  in  our  pathway  to  immortal 
bliss — if  we  would  reach  the  happy  shores  of 
Immanuel’s  Land — let  us  follow  the  advice  of 
the  Apostle.  Let  us  cast  off  the  works  of  dark¬ 
ness  ;  let  us  put  on  the  armor  of  light ;  let  us 
walk  honestly,  as  in  the  day ;  not  in  rioting  and 
drunkenness;  not  in  chambering  and  wanton¬ 
ness;  not  in  strife  and  envying.  But,  above  all, 
let  us  put  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  make 
not  provision  for  the  flesh  to  fulfil  the  lusts 
thereof. 

What  a  glorious  reward  is  held  forth  to  him 
who  is  true  to  the  cause  of  Christ  throughout 
his  pilgrimage  on  earth l  “Be  thou  faithful  unto 
death,  and  I  will  give  thee  a  crown  of  life.”  O 
what  unutterable  bliss  awaits  the  faithful  fol¬ 
lowers  of  Jesus  in  that  eternal,  glorious  world 
toward  which  they  are  daily  advancing!  And 


360  WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM. 


how  much  is  there  in  the  Holy  Scriptures  to 
animate  us  in  struggling  amid  the  sorrows  and 
conflicts  of  the  Christian  course  I  They  tell  us 
that  all  the  riches  and  glories  of  the  heavenly 
Canaan  are  to  be  enjoyed  through  the  ceaseless 
ages  of  eternity,  b}^  those  who  have  overcome 
by  the  blood  of  the  Lamb. 

The  cheering  language  of  the  Saviour  is,  “  To 
him  that  overcometh  will  I  give  to  eat  of  the 
tree  of  life,  which  is  in  the  midst  of  the  paradise 
of  God.”  And  again  :  “  Him  that  overcometh, 
will  I  make  a  pillar  in  the  temple  of  my  God, 
and  he  shall  go  no  more  out.  He  that  over¬ 
cometh  shall  inherit  all  things:  and  I  will  bo 
his  God,  and  he  shall  be  my  son.” 

“  Oft  as  I  look  upon  the  road 
That  leads  to  yonder  blest  abode, 

I  feel  distressed  and  fearful: 

So  many  foes  the  passage  throng, 

I  am  so  weak  and  they  so  strong, 

How  can  my  soul  be  cheerful ! 

u  But  when  I  think  of  Him  whose  powei, 

Can  save  me  in  a  trying  hour, 

And  place  on  Him  reliance, 

My  soul  is  then  ashamed  of  fear ; 

And  though  ten  thousand  foes  appear, 

I'll  bid  them  all  defiance. 

*  The  dangerous  road  I  then  pursue, 

And  keep  the  glorious  prize  in  vieVj; 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM.  361 


With  joyful  hope  elated; 

Strong  in  the  Lord,  in  Him  alane,  * 

Where  he  conducts,  I  follow  on, 

With  ardor  unabated. 

“  0  Lord,  each  day  renew  my  strength. 

And  let  me  see  thy  face  at  length, 

With  all  thy  people  yonder : 

With  them  in  heaven  thy  love  declare 
And  sing  thy  praise  for  ever  thero* 

With  gratitula  and  wonder.” 


r 


862  WANDERING.,  OF  A  PILGRIM. 


CHAPTER  III. 

ENCOURAGEMENTS - PROVISION  BY  THE  WAY. 

‘  Bread  shall  be  given  him ;  his  waters  shall  be  sure.*— 
la.  xxxiii.  16. 

M  I  thirst! — 0  God,  great  Source  of  Love! 

Infinite  Life  streams  from  above, 

0  give  one  drop  and  let  me  live  1 
The  barren  world  has  naught  to  give: 

No  solace  have  its  streams  for  me ; 

I  thirst  alone  for  heaven  and  Thee* 

i 

When  tlie  Israelites  were  marching  throng  la 
the  burning  wilderness  of  Arabia  to  the  prom¬ 
ised  land,  God  nourished  them  with  bread  from 
heaven,  and  with  water  from  a  smitten  rock. 
Then  he  opened  the  doors  of  heaven,  and  rained 
down  manna  upon  them  to  eat,  and  gave  them 
of  the  corn  of  heaven.  Man  did  eat  angels’ 
food ;  He  sent  them  meat  to  the  full.  He  clave 
the  rock  in  the  wilderness,  and  gave  them  drink 
as  out  of  the  great  depths.  He  brought  streams 
also  out  of  the  rock,  and  caused  waters  to  run 
down  like  rivers  [Psalm  lxxviii.)  The  same  is 
true,  in  a  spiritual  sense,  of  Zion’s  pilgrims,  who 
are  journeying  through  this  barren  wilderness 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM.  363 


world  tc  the  happy  Canaan  above.  They  are 
encircled  in  the  same  Everlasting  Arms.  Their 
wants  are  supplied  by  the  same  Almighty  Hand. 
They  eat  of  the  hidden  manna,  and  drink  of  the 
water  of  life.  How  beautifully  is  this  compari¬ 
son  illustrated  by  the  Christian  poet ! 

“  When  Israel  by  divine  command 
The  pathless  desert  trod, 

They  found,  though  ’twas  a  barren  lan 3, 

A  sure  resource  in  God. 

“A  cloudy  pillar  marked  their  road, 

And  screened  them  from  the  heat; 

From  the  hard  rocks  the  water  flowed. 

And  manna  was  their  meat. 

“  Like  them  we  have  a  rest  in  view, 

Secure  from  adverse  powers : 
lake  them  we  pass  a  desert,  too ; 

But  Israel’s  God  is  ours. 

Yes,  in  this  barren  wilderness, 

He  is  to  us  the  same, 

By  his  appointed  means  of  grace, 

As  once  he  was  to  them.” 


A  gracious  God,  in  the  infinitude  of  his  love, 
has  provided  ample  provision  for  the  refresh¬ 
ment  and  support  of  weary  pilgrims  in  passing 
through  this  dark  vale  to  the  joyous  realms  of 
everlasting  light.  Here,  he  has  instituted  the 
precious  ordinances  of  divine  grace  and  salva 


\ 


364  WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM. 


tion,  for  our  joy  and  happiness  till  we  come  to 
worship  Him  in  His  temple  above.  As  our 
kind  Heavenly  Father,  he  has  given  us  the 
bread  of  life.  Jesus  Christ  is  the  true  bread 
from  heaven,  with  which  the  souls  of  believers 
are  nourished  in  their  lonely  pilgrimage.  Says 
the  Saviour,  “I  am  the  bread  of  life:  he  that 
cometh  to  me,  shall  never  hunger ;  and  he  that 
believeth  on  me,  shall  never  thirst.  I  am  the 
living  bread  which  came  down  from  heaven: 
if  any  man  eakof  this  bread,  he  shall  live  for 
ever :  and  the  bread  that  I  will  give  is  my  flesh, 
which  I  will  give  for  the  life  of  the  world.” 
The  Israelites,  in  their  wanderings  in  the  wil¬ 
derness,  were  fed  with  manna ;  but  we,  in  our 
journey  to  a  better  land,  partake  of  the  fulness 
of  J esus,  whose  flesh  is  meat  indeed,  and  whose 
blood  is  drink  indeed.  Here,  in  this  wilder¬ 
ness, 

“  Jesus,  the  bread  of  life,  is  given 
To  be  our  daily  food : 

We  drink  a  wondrous  stream  from  heaven, 

’Tis  water,  wine,  and  blood. 

“  Lord,  ’tis  enough,  I  ask  no  more, 

These  blessings  are- divine  ; 

I  envy  not  the  worldling’s  store, 

If  Christ  and  heaven  are  mine." 

Here,  we  drink  of  the  living  waters  of  sal¬ 
vation — those  streams  of  immortal  joys,  which 


WANDERINGS  JF  A  t  ILGRIM.  865 


issue  from  the  pierced  side  of  a  blessed  Re¬ 
deemer,  for  the  refreshment  of  thirsty  pilgr’ms, 
wandering  through  the  deserts  of  life.  The  per¬ 
ennial  fountain  of  that  river,  whose  streams 
make  glad  the  city  of  our  God,  is  to  be  found  in 
a  suffering  Saviour  ;  and  at  this  precious  Foun¬ 
tain  we  may  quench  our  thirst  forever. 

“Whosoever  drinketh  of  the  water  that  I 
shall  give  him,”  says  Jesus,  “shall  never  thirst; 
but  the  water  that  I  shall  give  him,  shall  be  in 
him  a  well  of  water  springing  up  into  everlast¬ 
ing  life.”  Here  is  the  well  of  endless  life.  0 
thirsty  soul,  come  to  a  bleeding  Saviour,  and 
drink,  and  live  forever.  You  are  earnestly  in¬ 
vited  to  come  to  the  Fountain  of  Life.  These 
living  waters  are  freely  offered  to  you,  to  me,  to 
one,  to  all.  This  is  the  language  of  redeeming 
love  :  “  ITo,  every  one  that  thirsteth,  come  ye  to 
the  waters ;  and  he  that  hath  no  money,  come 
ye,  buy,  and  eat ;  yea,  come,  buy  wine  and 
milk  without  money  and  without  price.”  (Is.  lv. 
1.)  “  The  Spirit  and  the  bride  say,  come.  And 
let  him  that  is  athirst,  come.  And  whoso- 
ever  will,  let  him  take  the  water  of  life  freely.” 
(Rev.  xxii.  17.)  “I  will  give  unto  him  that  is 
athirst  of  the  fountain  of  the  water  of  life  freely.” 
(Rev.  xxi.  6.) 

When  the  children  of  Israel  left  the  land  of 
Egypt,  the  Lord  guided  them  through  the  path- 
31* 


866  WANDERINGS  OF  A  PI1GR*M. 


less  desert  by  a  pillar  of  cloud  and  fire  until 
they  were  brought  to  the  borders  of  Canaan. 
Thus  the  great  Leader  of  his  spiritual  Israel  has 
kindled  a  light  in  this  dark  and  dreary  land  to 
guide  his  chosen  people  to  that  glorious  realm 
on  high,  where  it  is  said,  “  The  Lord  shall  be 
unto  thee  an  everlasting  light,  and  thy  God  thy 
glory.”  The  blessed  word  of  God  affords  the 
Christian  traveller  light,  comfort,  joy,  and  pro¬ 
vision  by  the  way.  Says  the  Psalmist :  “  Thy 
word  is  a  lamp  unto  my  feet,  and  a  light  unto 
my  path.  This  is  my  comfort  in  my  affliction ; 
for  thy  word  hath  quickened  me.  Thy  statutes 
have  beenmy  songs  in  the  house  of  my  pilgrim¬ 
age.  Thy  testimonies  have  I  taken  as  a  heri¬ 
tage  forever:  for  they  are  the  rejoicing  of  my 
heart.  How  sweet  are  thy  words  unto  my  taste  1 
yea,  sweeter  than  honey  to  my  mouth.” 

In  the  Bible  there  is  every  thing  provided  for 
the  needy  traveller  to  Zion.  “It  embodies  all,” 
says  an  eloquent  living  divine,*  “that  a  Chris¬ 
tian  in  this  pilgrimage  can  need.  It  is  his  only 

% 

*  Rev.  J.  B.  Waterbury,  D.  D.,  a  distinguished  clergyman 
of  Boston, — author  of  “Advice  to  a  Young  Christian,” 
“Who  are  the  Happy  V  “Considerations  for  Young  Men,” 
<&c.,  <fcc.  These  beautiful  and  excellent  practical  treatises  w 
would  earnestly  commend  to  the  attention  of  every  young 
disciple  of  the  Saviour.  They  are  the  productions  of  an  able 
and  pious  divine. 


WANDERINGS  Or  A  PILGRIM.  367 


chart  tnrough  this  tempestuous  life.  In  trouble, 
it  is  his  consolation ;  in  prosperity,  his  monitor ; 
in  difficulty,  his  guide.  Amid  the  darkness  of 
death,  and  while  descending  into  the  shadowy 
valley,  it  is  the  day-star  that  illuminates  his 
path,  makes  his  dying  eye  bright  with  hope, 
and  cheers  his  soul  with  the  prospect  of  immor¬ 
tal  glory.” 

Ample  provision  is  set  before  the  pilgrim  of 
Zion  in  a  preached  gospel.  Here  it  is  that  his 
soul  is  refreshed  with  the  richest  streams  of  di¬ 
vine  grace.  Here,  he  draws  living  water  out 
of  the  wells  of  salvation  with  joy.  Ho  wonder, 
then,  that  the  child  of  God  loves,  above  all  other 
places  in  this  world,  the  habitation  of  God’s 
house.  Ho  wonder  that  his  language  is 

“I  joyed  when  to  the  house  of  Gsd, 

Go  up,  they  said  to  me  ; 

Jerusalem,  within  thy  gates 
Our  feet  shall  standing  be.” 

“  How  amiable  are  thy  tabernacles,  0  Lord  of 
hosts  I  A  day  in  thy  courts  is  better  than  a 
thousand.  I  had  rather  be  a  door-keeper  in  the 
house  of  my  God,  than  to  dwell  in  the  tents  of 
wickedness.” 

But  the  most  abundant  provision  is  procured 
for  needy  pilgrims  in  the  Lord’s  Supper.  This 
_s  a  most  precious,  a  most  soul-ravishing  crdi- 


868  WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM. 


nance  of  grace.  Surely,  if  there  is  a  time  wnen 
the  Christian  is  permitted  to  lie  down  in  green 
pastures,  by  the  still  waters,  in  this  bleak  and 
barren  world,  it  is  during  communion  seasons, 
when  he  draws  around  that  holy  table,  and  med 
itates  on  the  wonders  of  Calvary.  Then  it  is 
that  his  weary  soul  is  refreshed  with  the  abun¬ 
dance  of  God’s  grace,  and  with  the  goodness  of 
his  house.  Then  it  is  that  he  reposes  with  the 
greatest  delight  under  the  shadow  of  Jesus,  who 
protects  all  his  people  from  the  burning  wrath 
of  an  offended  God.  “I  sat  down  under  his 
shadow  with  great  delight,  and  his  fruit  was 
sweet  to  my  taste.” 

If  there  is  a  moment  this  side  of  heaven, 
when  the  Christian  traveller  seems  to  breathe  a 

i 

purer  atmosphere  than  that  of  earth,  it  is  when 
seated  at  the  table  of  the  Lord,  he  takes  into  his 
hands  the  emblems  of  Immanuel’s  broken  body 
and  shed  blood,  and,  with  the  eye  of  faith 
turned  towards  Calvary,  views  that  immaculate 
Saviour  nailed  to  the  accursed  tree,  bleeding 
from  every  pore  —  in  his  unparalleled  love, 
dying  for  rebel  man,  and  by  his  vicarious  death 
opening  the  way  to  God  and  to  glory. 

When  the  believing  communicant  appropriates 
Christ  and  his  righteousness  as  freely  offered  in 
this  ordinance,  he  feels  as  if  his  happy  spirit 
were  fanned  by  the  breezes  of  paradise.  It  is 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM.  869 


this  appropriating  act — this  feasting  on  Christ 
crucified  that  refreshes  the  weary  pilgrim  infin¬ 
itely  more  than  all  the  enjoyments  of  a  dying 
world.  This  rich  provision  satisfies  the  soul  as 
with  marrow  and  fatness :  it  fills  it  with  joy, 
unutterable,  indescribable  and  full  of  glory.  Our 
poor  pen  cannot  describe  the  joy  and  peace 
which  a  famishing  soul  experiences  when  it  eats 
of  the  hidden  manna  and  drinks  of  the  living 
water.  It  is  impossible  to  tell  how  soul-reviv¬ 
ing  it  is  thus  to  receive  a  crucified  Saviour  as 
ours ;  to  have  his  goodness  imparted  to  our  souls. 

“  How  sweet  the  sacred  joy  that  dwells 
In  souls  renewed  by  power  divine ; 

Where  Jesus  all  his  goodness  tells: 

Ohl  may  this  joy  be  ever  mine.” 

Come,  then,  weary  pilgrim,  and  repose  in 
these  green  pastures,  and  bathe  in  the  still  wa¬ 
ters.  You  will  then  be  invigorated  for  treading 
the  pathway  through  the  shades  of  earth  to 
that  bright,  happy  region  where  you  shall  for¬ 
ever  eat  of  the  fruit  of  the  tree  of  life  in  the 
midst  of  the  paradise  of  God;  and  where  you 
shall  drink  of  that  perennial  fountain  which  is¬ 
sues  from  the  throne  of  the  Eternal. 

How  happy  is  the  condition  of  Zion’s  pil¬ 
grims  even  in  this  land  of  sorrow!  Their 
wants  are  al  supplied  out  of  Jesus,  in  whom  it 


870  WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM. 


hath  pleased  the  Father  that  all  fulness  should 
dwell.  Their  provision  is  prepared  by  the  God 
of  all  grace ;  and  it  is  sufficient.  They  shall 
feed  in  the  ways,  and  their  pastures  shall  be  in 
all  high  places.  They  shall  not  hunger  nor 
thirst,  neither  shall  the  heat  nor  sun  smite 
them :  for  he  that  hath  mercy  on  them  shall 
lead  them,  even  by  the  springs  of  water  shall 
he  guide  them.  (Is.  xlix.  9,  10.) 

Go  then,  Christian  traveller,  on  your  way  to 
the  peaceful  shore  of  glory,  singing,  with  a 
cheerful  heart,  the  pilgrim’s  song : 

“The  Lord’s  my  shepherd,  I’ll  not  'want; 

He  makes  me  down  to  lie 
In  pastures  green:  he  leadeth  me 
The  quiet  waters  by. 


My  soul  he  doth  restore  again ; 

And  me  to  walk  doth  make 
"Within  the  paths  of  righteousness, 

Even  for  his  own  name’s  6aka. 

“Yea,  though  I  walk  in  death’s  dark  vale^ 
Yet  will  I  fear  none  ill : 

For  Thou  art  with  me ;  and  Thy  rod 
And  staff  me  comfort  still. 

*  My  table  Thou  hast  furnished 
In  presence  of  my  foes ; 

My  head  Thou  dost  with  oil  anoint, 

And  'Tij  cup  overflows. 


WANDEB1NGS  OF  A  PIIGKIM,  371 


*  Goodness  and  mercy  all  my  life 
Shall  surely  follow  me : 

And  in  God’s  house  for  evermoro 

My  dwelling-place  6hall  ban 


/ 


872  WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM. 


CHAPTLS  IT, 

THE  CHRISTIAN  PILGRIM  IN  THE  VALLEY  OF  3ACA. 

“Who  passing  through  the  valley  of  Baca.”  —  Psalm 
Ixxxiv.  6. 

**  God,  in  Israel  sows  the  seed 
Of  affliction,  pain,  and  toil ; 

These  spring  up  and  choke  the  weeds 
Which  would  else  o’erspread  the  soil : 

Trials  make  the  promise  sweet, 

Trials  give  new  life  to  prayer ; 

Trials  bring  me  to  his  feet, 

Lay  me  low,  and  keep  me  there.” 

Our  pilgrimage  to  the  Heavenly  Canaan  lies 
through  a  valley  of  weeping.  This  earth  is  a 
vale  of  tears :  and  it  is  a  path  which  all  of 
Zion’s  pilgrims  must  tread  until  they  come  to 
that  place  where  the  voice  of  weeping  shall  no 
more  be  heard.  We  must  through  much  tribu¬ 
lation  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God.  (Acts,  xiv. 
22.)  Of  God’s  own  chosen  people,  it  is  said, 
“Thou  feedest  them  with  the  bread  of  tears; 
and  givest  them  tears  to  drink  in  great  measure.” 
The  followers  of  Jesus  must  not,  therefore,  ex¬ 
pect  to  find  a  smooth  road  to  glory.  Thou,  0 
God,  nast  proved  us :  thou  hast  tried  us,  as  sib 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  PI.  GRIM.  373 


ver  is  triad.  Thou  broughtest  us  into  the  Qet; 
thou  laidest  affliction  upon  our  loins;  thou  hast 
caused  men  to  ride  over  our  heads;  we  went 
through  fire  and  water ;  but  thou  broughtest  us 
out  into  a  wealthy  place.  (. Ps .  lxvi.  10,  12.) 

“  Our  path  is  strewed  with  piercing  thorns  ; 

Each  step  is  gained  by  arduous  fight, 

Yet  wait,  till  hope’s  bright  morning  dawns, 

Till  darkness  changes  into  light.” 

Some  of  the  trials  which  render  this  world  a 
vale  of  tears,  and  which  the  Christian  pilgrim 
is  called  to  suffer,  are,  bodily  sickness,  mental 
anguish,  adversity,  and  bereavement.  Who  has 
not  experienced  some  of  these  afflictions  ? 

1.  Our  limits  will  permit  us  to  notice  only  the 
last  mentioned— that  of  bereavement  And  whose 
cheeks  have  not  been  moistened  by  the  tears 
shed  for  the  loss  of  some  dear  companion? 
Who  has  not,  in  this  land  of  death,  been  called 
' o  take  the  last  look  of  some  loved  associate  in 
jis  toilsome  pilgrimage? — to  see,  perhaps,  his 
learest  friends  lowered  in  the  cold,  dark  grave  ? 
3  how  trjung  to  flesh  and  blood  is  bereave¬ 
ment!  “This  is  the  bitterest  of  all  earthly 
.sorrows.  It  is  the  sharpest  arrow  in  the  quiver 
of  God.  To  love  tenderly  and  deeply,  and 
then  to  part ;  to  meet  together  for  the  last  time 
on  earth ;  to  bid  farewell  for  time ;  to  have  all 


374  WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM. 


remembrances  of  borne  and  kindred  broken 
np ;  this  is  the  reality  of  sorrow ; — to  look  upon 
that  face  that  shall  smile  on  us  no  more;  to 
close  those  eyes  that  shah  see  us  no  more ;  to 
press  those  lips  that  shall  speak  to  us  no  more ; 
to  stand  by  the  cold  side  of  father,  mother, 
brother,  sister,  friend,  yet  hear  no  sound  and 
receive  no  greeting ;  to  carry  to  the  tomb  the 
beloved  of  our  hearts,  and  then  to  return  to  a 
desolate  home  with  a  blank  in  one  region  of  our 
souls  which  shall  never  again  be  filled  till  Jesus 
comes  with  all  his  saints ;  this  is  the  bitterness 
of  grief ;  this  is  the  wormwood  and  the  gall.” 
This  is  what  the  saints  of  God,  as  well  as  the 
men  of  the  wrorld,  are  daily  called  to  endure ; 
and  this  is  what  renders  earth  such  a  vale  of 
tears. 

2.  But  we  would  also  notice  the  design  which 
God  has  in  afflicting  the  righteous.  It  is  to  pre¬ 
pare  them  for  that  better  land,  where  there  is 
fulness  of  joy.  It  is  to  draw  their  affections 
from  earth  to  heaven — from  the  wilderness  to 
Canaan.  It  is  to  make  us  mindful  of  rur  in¬ 
heritance  above — to  make  us  feel  that  we  are 
strangers  and  pilgrims  on  the  earth — to  make  us 
cleave  to  Jesus  by  faith — to  make  us  meditate 
on  the  wonders  of  his  redeeming  lor^, — to 
qualify  us  for  a  participation  of  the  joys  of  the 
redeemed  before  the  Throne.  Our  light,  mo- 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM.  375 


mentary  affliction,  worketh  for  ns  a  far  more 
exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory.  “  Afflic¬ 
tion,”  says  one,  “not  only  profits  us  much  just 
now,  but  it  will  serve  us  much  in  eternity. 
Then  we  shall  discover  how  much  we  owe  it. 
All  that  it  is  doing  for  us,  we  know  not  now, 
but  we  shall  know  hereafter.  It  is  preparing 
for  us  a  1  more  abundant  entrance,’  a  weightier 
crown,  a  whiter  robe,  a  sweeter  rest,  a  home 
made  doubly  precious  by  a  long  exile  and  many 
sufferings  here  below.” 

“  I  wonder,”  says  that  godly  man  of  other 
days,  Rev.  Samuel  Rutherford,  “  I  wonder 
many  times  that  ever  a  child  of  God  should 
have  a  sad  heart,  considering  what  the  Lord  is 
preparing  for  them.”  “When  we  shall  come 
home,  and  enter  into  the  possession  of  our 
brother’s  fair  kingdom,  and  when  our  heads 
shall  feel  the  weight  of  the  eternal  crown  of 
glory,  and  when  we  shall  look  back  to  pain  and 
sufferings,  then  shall  we  see  life  and  sorrow  to 
be  less  than  one  step  or  stride  from  a  prison  to 
a  glory,  and  that  our  little  inch  of  time-suffering 
is  not  worthy  of  our  first  night’s  welcome  home 
to  heaven.”  “However  matters  go,  the  worst 
shall  be  a  tired  traveller,  and  a  joyful  and  sweet 
welcome  home.”* 

•  Says  tLa  excellent  divine.  Rev.  Hcratius  Bonar,  ol 
26* 


876  WANDERINGS  OF  A  ILGRIM. 


3.  Bui  amidst  all  our  affliction  here  we  are  not 
without  strong  consolation. — The  most  precious 
promises  are  extended  to  the  mourning  pilgrims 
of  Zion.  There  is  One  that  speaks  to  them  in  the 
ten  derest  love  and  compassion.  God  hath  com¬ 
forted  his  people,  and  will  have  mercy  upon  his 
afflicted.  (Is.  xlix.  13.)  I,  even  I,  am  he  that 
comforteth  you.  (Is.  li.  12.)  There  is  an  eye  that 
watches  over  suffering  pilgrims.  There  is  a 
hand  that  smooths  the  rugged  passage  to  the 
realms  of  day.  There  is  a  Friend  in  Heaven, 
who  feels  for  his  sorrowful  disciples  in  this  vale 
of  tears.  Jesus  is  that  Friend  who  sticketh 
closer  than  a  brother ;  and  his  encouraging  lan¬ 
guage  to  his  afflicted  followers  is,  “Let  not  your 
heart  be  troubled :  ye  believe  in  God,  believe 
also  in  me.  In  my  Father’s  house  are  many 
mansions.”  a  He  that  goeth  forth  and  weepeth, 
bearing  precious  seed,  shall  doubtless  come 
again  with  rejoicing,  bringing  his  sheaves  with 
him.” 

There  is  a  joyful  harvest-home  tor  weepir_g 

Kelso,  Scotland,  “Beloved,  ‘it  is  ■well.’  It  is  good  to  be 
afflicted.  Our  days  of  suffering  here  we  call  days  of  dark¬ 
ness;  hereafter  they  will  seem  our  brightest  and  fairest.  In 
eternity  we  shall  praise  Jehovah,  most  of  all  for  our  sorrows 
and  tears.  So  blessed  shall  they  then  seem  to  us,  that  we 
shall  wonder  how  we  'jocld  ever  weep  and  sigh.” — Nigh; of 
Weeping ,  p.  174. 


v. 


WANDERINGS  OF  V  PILGIilvI  377 


pilgrims  in  New  Jerusalem.  In  that  happy 
home,  no  tears  shall  ever  flow,  through  the 
glorious  ages  of  vast  eternity. 

“There  purity  with  love  appears, 

And  bliss  without  alloy; 

There  thsy  that  oft  had  sown  in  tears 
Shall  reap  again  in  joy.” 

Of  those  who  are  marching  through  this  vale 
of  tears  to  Immanuel’s  land,  our  gracious 
Heavenly  Father  lias  said:  “They  shall  come 
and  sing  in  the  heights  of  Zion ;  and  they  shall 
not  sorrow  any  more  at  all :  for  I  will  turn  their 
mourning  into  joy,  and  will  comfort  them,  and 
make  them  rejoice  from  their  sorrow.”  Then 
shall  every  tear  be  wiped  away  from  the  faces 
of  all  the  redeemed  before  the  throne  of  God. 

4.  A  consideration  of -the  brevity  of  their  earthly 
trials  ought  to  afford  relief  to  weary  pilgrims  who 
are  looking  to  Jesus  for  eternal  life . —  They  will 
not  be  long  in  the  valley  of  Baca.  They  will 
soon  have  reached  the  heights  of  Mount  Zion 
Our  light  affliction  is  but  for  a  moment.  'Weep¬ 
ing  may  endure  for  a  night,  but  joy  cometh  in 
the  morning.  ( Ps .  xxx.  5.) 

How  pleasing  is  the  thought  that  our  redemp¬ 
tion  is  every  moment  drawing  nearer.  We  may 
well  lift  up  our  heads  with  joy,  for  the  coming 
of  the  Lord  draweth  nigh.  Our  journey  to  tho 
82* 


378  WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM. 


skies  is  but  a  short  one.  We  are  rapidly  ad¬ 
vancing  to  the  tearless  region.  “  Every  hour 
that  strikes, — every  morning  that  dawns,  and 
every  evening  that  darkens  around  us,  brings  us 
nearer  to  the  end  of  our  pilgrimage.”  A  few 
more  tears  of  sorrow ;  a  few  more  days  of  dark¬ 
ness,  and  nights  of  weeping,  and  we  shall  ever 
be  with  the  Lord  in  that  better  country,  where 
we  shall  find  fulness  of  joy  in  the  presence  of 
Him  who  hath  loved  us  with  an  everlasting 
love — who  hath  washed  us  from  our  sins  in  his 
own  most  precious  blood,  and  who  will  wipe 
away  all  tears  from  our  eyes.  Then  the  Lord 
will  be  our  everlasting  light,  and  the  days  of 
our  mourning  be  ended.  Even  so,  come,  Lord 
Jesus. 


WANDERINGS  OP  4  PILGRIM.  379 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE  CHRISTIAN  ON  PISGAH’S  MOUNT. 

“Thine  eyes  shall  see  the  king  in  his  beauty:  they  shall 
behold  the  land  that  is  very  far  off.” — Is.  xxxiii.  17. 

“  I  was  a  grov’ling  creature  once, 

And  basely  eleav’d  to  earth ; 

I  wanted  spirit  to  renounce 
The  clod  that  gave  me  birth. 

“  But  God  has  breathed  upon  a  worm. 

And  sent  me  from  above, 

Wings  such  as  clothe  an  angel’s  form— ■ 

The  wings  of  joy  and  love. 

*  With  these  to  Pisgah’s  top  I  fly, 

And  there  delighted  stand : 

To  view  beneath  a  shining  sky, 

The  spacious  promised  land.” 

Before  the  children  of  Israel  gained  posses- 
sion  of  the  land  of  Canaan,  they  were  refreshed 
with  a  taste  of  its  delicious  fruits.  In  like  man¬ 
ner,  the  Christian,  before  he  reaches  the  better 
country,  has  many  sweet  foretastes  of  celestial 
joys. 

Blessed  be  God !  the  believer  is  not  always  in 


380  WANDERINGS  OF  i  PILGRIM 


tlie  valley  of  weeping.  There  are  times  when 
he  seems  to  live  above  the  world,  and  to  have 
nothing  but  the  glories  of  heaven  in  his  eye. 
At  such  delightful  seasons,  he  can  adopt  the 
soul-stirring  language  of  Dr.  Payson :  “  The 
celestial  city  is  full  in  my  view.  Its  glorios 
beam  upon  me,  its  breezes  fan  me,  its  odors  are 
wafted  to  me,  its  sounds  strike  upon  my  ears, 
and  its  spirit  is  breathed  into  my  heart.” 

The  views  of  the  pilgrim,  when  by  faith  he 
surveys  the  better  land,  are  similar  to  those  of 
the  Christian  when  showed  the  Delectable  Moun¬ 
tains.  How  beautifully  and  strikingly  is  this 
described  by  the  immortal  Bun3mn :  11  Then  I 
saw  in  my  dream,  that  on  the  morrow  he  got  up 
to  go  forward,  but  they  desired  him  to  stay  till 
the  next  day  also ;  and  then,  said  they,  we  will, 
if  the  day  be  clear,  show  you  the  Delectable 
Mountains;  which,  they  said,  would  yet  farther 
add  to  his  comfort,  because  they  were  nearer  the 
desired  haven  than  the  place  where  at  present 
he  was ;  so  he  consented  and  staid.  When  the 
morning  was  up,  they  had  him  to  the  top  of  the 
house,  and  bid  him  look  south.  So  he  did, 
and  behold,  at  a  great  distance,  he  saw  a  most 
pleasant  mountainous  country,  beautified  with 
woods,  vineyards,  fruits  of  all  sorts,  flowers  also, 
with  springs  and  fountains,  very  delectable  to 
behold.  (Isa.  xxxiii.  16, 17.)  Then  he  asked  the 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM.  381 


name  of  the  country.  They  said  it  was  Im¬ 
manuel’s  land  ;  and  it  is  as  common,  said  they, 
as  this  hill  is,  to  and  for  all  the  pilgrims.  And 
when  thou  comest  there,  from  thence  thou  mayest 
see  to  the  gate  of  the  celestial  city,  as  the  shep¬ 
herds  that  live  there  will  make  appear.” 

We  would  notice,  in  a  word  or  two,  how  and 
where  the  Christian  obtains  the  most  glorious 
views  of  that  Promised  Land  which  lies  beyond 
the  Jordan  of  death. 

1.  As  Moses  obtained  a  view  of  the  earthly 
Canaan  from  the  top  of  Pisgah,  so  we  get  a  glimpse 
of  heavenly  glory  from  the  mount  of  meditation — 
our  spiritual  Pisgali. — “  By  meditation,”  says  a 
pious  old  divine,  “  I  can  converse  with  God — 
solace  myself  in  the  bosom  of  my  Beloved; 
bathe  myself  in  rivers  of  pleasures;  tread  the 
paths  of  my  rest,  and  view  the  mansions  of  my 
eternity.  What  gainest  thou,  then,  0  my  soul, 
in  this  valley  of  tears  ?  Up  upon  the  mount, 
and  view  the  Land  of  Promise.  What  canst 
thou  look  for  in  this  wilderness  of  trouble  ?  Up 
upon  the  wing,  and  take  thy  flight  to  Heaven : 
let  thy  thoughts  be  where  thy  happiness  is,  and 
let  the  heart  be  where  thy  thoughts  are :  though 
thy  habitation  may  be  on  earth,  yet  thy  con¬ 
versation  shall  be  in  Heaven.” 

2.  It  is  while  waiting  vpon  God  in  the  courts  of 
his  house — whilt  se  led  at  the  table  of  the  Lord} 


382  WANDERINGS  CF  A  FILGRIM. 


that  the  Christian  pilgrim  sometimes  obtain &  the 
brightest  views  of  Heaven. — It  is  in  the  earthly 
temple  of  the  Lord  that  we  oftentimes  obtain  a 
glimpse  of  the  heavenly  mansion.  Here  it  is, 
that  a  sweet  promise  has  been  repeatedly  veri¬ 
fied  to  the  children  of  God :  u  Thine  eyes  shall 
see  the  King  in  his  beauty ;  they  shall  behold 
the  land  that  is  very  far  off.” 

0  how  delightful  is  it  thus  to  glance  from 
earth  to  Heaven — from  a  dying  world  to  one  of 
immortal  bloom — from  the  turbulent  scene  of 
our  toil  and  suffering  to  the  peaceful  mansions 
of  our  rest  and  felicity  1  There  is  nothing  that 
transports  the  soul  of  a  weary  pilgrim  like  a 
faith’s  view  of  his  eternal  rest  beyond  the  swell¬ 
ing  floods  of  Jordan. 

“  How  rich  the  prospect  glows 
Beyond  this  vale  of  tears; 

Where  crystal  water  flows, 

And  verdure  crowns  the  year.” 

Come  then,  fellow  pilgrim,  and  survey  your 
everlasting  happy  home.  Ascend  the  Mount  of 
Pisgah,  and  behold  the  glorious  land  before  you. 
View  the  Celestial  City,  with  its  twelve  gates  of 
pearls,  and  its  streets  of  gold,  enlightened  by  the 
glory  of  God  and  the  Lamb.  See  the  river  of 
pleasure,  with  its  crystal  streams,  flowing  from 
the  Eternal  Throne;  and  the  Tree  of  Life,  with 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM.  383 


its  twelve  manner  of  fruits,  standing  in  tlie 
midst  of  the  Paradise.  Behold  the  countless 
throng  of  t.ie  redeemed  before  the  throne. 
Hear  their  sweet,  melodious  strains,  which  shall 
ever  gladden  the  realms  above :  “  Unto  Him 
that  loved  us,  and  washed  us  from  our  sins  in 
'his  own  blood,  and  hath  made  us  kings  and 
priests  unto  God  and  his  Father;  to  Him  be 
glory  and  dominion  forever  and  ever,  Amen.” 
“Worthy  is  the  Lamb  that  was  slain  to  receive 
power,  and  riches,  and  wisdom,  and  strength, 
and  honor,  and  glory,  and  blessing.” 

“There  shall  the  ransomed  throng 
A  Saviour’s  love  record ; 

And  shout,  in  everlasting  song, 

Salvation  to  the  Lord.” 

Above  all,  contemplate  your  blessed  Re 
deemer,  seated  on  his  great  white  throne,  en 
circled  with  heavenly  glory.  Look  at  the  King 
in  his  beauty.  It  is  the  sight  of  a  glorified 
Saviour  that  will  make  the  heaven  of  the  be¬ 
liever.  Endeavor  now,  by  the  eye  of  faith,  to 
behold  the  Lord  Jesus  in  all  his  matchless 
beauty  and  excellence.  Contemplate  his  glo¬ 
rious  character;  his  infinite  mercy;  his  un¬ 
paralleled  condescension,  and  his  boundless  love. 
There  is  enough  in  Jesus  to  employ  the  soul  in 
rupturous  meditation  through  a  vast  etcrnitv. 


884  WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM. 


his  excellence,  his  goodness,  and  his  love  c«,n 
never  be  fathomed.  0,  then,  keep  your  eye 
fixed  on  this  adorable  Saviour,  while  you  so¬ 
journ  in  this  vale  of  tears ;  and  in  a  little  while 
you  shall  see  him  as  he  is, — face  to  face,  and 
ascribe  to  him  unceasing  praise. 

How  reviving  to  the  weary  Christian  traveller, 
from  the  top  of  Pisgah,  is  a  view  of  his  distant, 
happy  home  in  the  Heavenly  Canaan  I  His 
feelings  on  this  delightful  spot  are  well  ex* 
pressed  in  the  following  beautiful  lines  • 

“As  when  the  weary  trav'Isr  gains, 

The  height  of  some  e'er-looking  hill, 

His  heart  revives,  if  ’cross  the  plains 
He  eyes  his  home,  through  distant  still 

“While  he  surveys  the  much  loved  spot, 

He  slights  the  space  that  lies  between; 

His  past  fatigues  are  now  forgot, 

Because  his  journey’s  end  is  seen, 

“  Thus  when  the  Christian  pilgrim  views 
By  faith,  his  mansion  in  the  skies. 

The  sight  his  fainting  strength  renews, 

And  wings  his  speed  to  reach  the  priza 

“The  thought  of  home  his  spirit  cheers, 

No  more  he  grievea  for  troubles  past; 

Nor  any  future  trial  fears, 

So  he  may  safe  arrive  at  last. 

M  ’Tis  there,  he  says,  I  am  to  dwell 
With  Jesus,  in  the  realms  of  day 
Then  I  shall  bid  my  cares  farewell, 

And  1j  e  will  wi  "3  my  tears  away  n 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM.  S85 


CHAPTER  VI. 

THE  POSTURE  OF  THE  CHRISTIAN  PILGRIM  IN  COMING 
.  UP  FROM  THE  WILDERNESS  OF  THIS  WORLD. 

“Who  is  this  that  cometh  up  from  the  wilderness,  lean¬ 
ing  upon  her  Beloved?” — Cant.  viii.  5. 

“  But,  firm  as  on  a  rock, 

The  saint  on  Christ  relies ; 

He  smiles  in  death’s  dissolving  shock, 

And  mounts  into  the  skies  I” 

The  Jewish  church  came  up  from  the  wilder¬ 
ness,  leaning  on  the  Eternal  God  for  her  sup¬ 
port.  He  was  the  Guide,  the  Rock,  the  Salva¬ 
tion  of  his  chosen  Israel.  He  found  him  in  a 
desert  'land,  and  in  the  waste,  howling  wilder¬ 
ness;  he  led  him  about,  he  instructed  him,  he 
kept  him  as  the  apple  of  his  eye.  As  an  eagle 
stirreth  up  her  nest,  fluttereth  over  her  young, 
spreadeth  abroad  her  wings,  taketh  them, 
beareth  them  on  her  wings ;  so  the  Lord  alone 
did  lead  him,  a^d  there  was  no  strange  god 
with  him.  (Deu.  xxxii.  10-12.)  In  like  manner, 
the  Christian  church  in  passing  through  the 
deserts  of  life,  has  Israel’s  God  for  Leader.  The 
same  gracious  eye  that  watched  over  the  wan- 


386  WANDERINGS  CF  A  PILGRIM 


dering  tribes  of  Israel  in  their  long  journey 
through  the  Arabian  wilderness,  is  now  watch¬ 
ing  with  the  tenderest  care  and  love  over  that 
chosen  band,  who  have  forsaken  all  for  Christ, 
and  who  are  marching  through  a  changing, 
terrestrial  scene  to  a  higher,  brighter,  nobler 
world  on  high.  The  eye  of  the  Lord  is  upon 
them  that  fear  him :  upon  them  that  hope  in  his 
mercy.  (P.s\  xxxiii.  18.)  He  that  toucheth  you, 
toucheth  the  apple  of  his  eye.  (Zech.  ii.  8.)  The 
same  kind  hand  that  led  Israel  of  old  to  the 
promised  land,  guides  the  humble  followers  of 
Jesus  to  mansions  of  glory  in  the  skies.  The 
The  Lord  of  hosts  is  with  us.  (Ps.  xlvi.  7.)  The 
eternal  Grod  is  our  refuge ;  and  underneath  and 
around  us  are  the  Everlasting  Arms. 

In  the  8th  chapter  of  the  Song  of  Solomon 
we  have  the  posture  of  the  pilgrim,  advancing 
to  the  celestial  city,  beautifully  presented  to  us : 
“  Who  is  this  that  eometh  up  from  the  wilder¬ 
ness,  leaning  upon  her  Beloved?”  Here  we  see 
the  blessed  object  on  which  the  Christian  re¬ 
poses,  while  passing  through  this  scene  of  fluc¬ 
tuating  and  perishing  mortality.  He  relies 
entirely  upon  Jesus  Christ,  the  Beloved  of  his 
soul.  He  looks  to  no  other  source  for  protec¬ 
tion  and  support,  He  hopes  in  no  other  refuge. 
His  language  is,  “Lord,  to  whom  shall  we  go? 
thou  hast  the  wcrds  of  eternal  life  * 


WANDERINGS  OF 


PILGRIM.  387 


We  would  advert  to  a  few  wa^s  in  which,  a 

4/ 

believing  soul,  in  ccming  up  from  the  wilder¬ 
ness,  rests  on  Jesus,  the  sinner’s  Friend. 

1.  lie  rests  on  him  for  strength. — The  poor 
pilgrim  has  no  might  in  himself;  but  relying 
on  Christ,  he  can  say  with  holy  Paul,  “  When 
I  am  weak,  then  I  am  strong.”  What  a  happy 
thing  it  is  to  feel  our  own  weakness  and  nothing¬ 
ness  in  the  sight  of  Heaven ;  and  then  to  cast 
ourselves  into  the  strong  arms  of  Jesus — those 
arms  of  infinite  love,  which  encircle  and  sustain 
all  the  righteous.  The  name  Of  the  Lord  is 
a  strong  tower ;  the  righteous  runneth  into  it, 
and  is  safe.  ( Prov .  xviii.  10.)  It  is  by  leaning 
upon  the  Beloved  of  our  souls  that  we  are  made 
strong. 

Helpless  pilgrim,  would  you  obtain  strength 
for  gaining  the  joyful  heights  of  Zion?  Then 
look  to  Jesus.  Best  in  him  now ;  and  in  a  little 
vhile,  when  you  cross  into  Canaan,  you  will 
rest  with  him  in  that  happy  land,  where  weari¬ 
ness  and  sorrow  are  unknown.  Do  not  trust  to 
your  own  strength;  but  wait  upon  the  Lord, 
and  you  will  be  upheld  with  divine  grace  and 
power.  Then  you  will  be  enabled  to  press  on¬ 
ward  with  the  greatest  speed  and  alacrity  to  the 
heavenly  mansions.  The  Lord  is  the  hope  of 
his  people,  and  the  strength  of  the  children  of 
Israel.  ( Joel  iii  16.)  He  giveth  power  to  the 


* 


l 


388  WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM. 


faint;  and  to  tliem  that  have, no  might  he  in- 
creaseth  strength.  Even  the  youths  shad  faint 
and  be  weary,  and  the  young  men  shall  utterly 
fall :  but  they  that  wait  upon  the  Lord  shall  re¬ 
new  their  strength ;  they  shall  mount  up  with 
wings  as  eagles;  they  shall  run,  and  not  be 
weary:  and  they  shall  walk,  and  not  faint.  (Is. 
xl.  29-31.) 

“  Blest  Jesus,  to  my  soul 

Tby  grace  and  strengtli  impart ; 

Till,  clothed  in  perfect  righteousness, 

I  see  thee  as  thoi5  art. 

“  As  I  wander  through  the  desert, 

Be  my  constant  help  and  stay : 

Shine  upon  my  path,  and  lead  me 
To  the  realms  of  endless  day.” 

Happy  is  he  who  in  the  morning  of  life  casts 
ah  his  caye  upon  Jesus ;  who  takes  the  Saviour 
as  his  all  and  in  all — as  the  strength  of  his 
hetjt  and  his  portion  forever.  He  may  sweetly 
sing  as  he  is  tossed  upon  the  surging  billows  of 
life’s  ocean,  “  0  Lord,  I  will  praise  thee :  though 
thou  wast  angry  with  me,  thine  anger  is  turned 
away,  and  thou  comfortest  me.  Behold,  God  is 
my  salvation ;  I  will  trust,  and  not  be  afraid : 
for  the  Lord  Jehovah  is  my  strength  and  my 
song  he  also  is  become  my  salvation.” 

“  But  Jesus  is  my  living  way, 

My  only  trus  my  liope>  my  stay ; 


/ 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM,  389 


From  him,  I  all  my  strength  receive, 

And  daily  on  his  fulness  live.” 

2.  Tl:e  Christian  cleaves  to  Jesus  by  faith. — Ha 
knows  that  his  Redeemer  liveth,  and  he  rests 
his  whole  weight  upon  him.  He  lives  upon  an 
unseen  Saviour.  Our  life  in  the  wilderness  is  a 
life  of  faith.  Here,  we  live  by  faith  and  walk 
by  faith.  This  will  be  the  manner  of  our  life 
until  we  come  to  behold  our  Redeemer  face  to 
face  in  the  Heavenly  Jerusalem,  and  enjoy  all 
the  blessedness  of  that  better  country  above. 
But  such  a  life  is  one  of  comfort  and  joy  to  the 
Christian  pilgrim  in  this  wilderness  land.  u  0 1 
the  blessedness  and  joy  of  faith !  How  does  it 
bring  near,  and  realize  a  view  of  Christ  in 
glory  !  Ho  we  indeed  see  Christ  by  the  eye  of 
faith?  Is  he  the  one  chief  object  of  our  souls? 
Is  he  precious  to  us?  Verily,  then,  we  shall 
count  our  days  on  earth  toilsome  ones,  and  long 
for  the  full  fruition  of  him  in  glory.  It  will  be 
our  great  joy  to  see  Him,  whose  blessed  head 
was  crowned  with  thorns,  and  whose  lovely  face 
was  spit  upon,  for  us :  till  then,  let  us  live  by 
faith  in  him,  constantly  crying,  Come,  Loid, 

Jesus,  come  quickly.’  ” 

% 

Though  the  believer  may  be  walking  in 

darkness,  yet  he  must  still,  by  faith,  lean  upon 

the  Beloved  of  his  soul.  Who  is  among  you 

that  feareth  the  Lord,  that  obeyeth  the  voice  of 
83* 


390  WANDERINGS  OF  A  PIL-GRIM. 


his  servant,  that  walketh  in  darkness,  and  hath  no 
light?  let  him  trust  in  the  name  of  the  Lord, 
and  stay  upon  his  God.  (Is.  1.  10.)  The  path¬ 
way  to  the  celestial  mansions  is  often  obscured 
by  darkness.  Here,  at  best,  we  see  but  through 
a  glass,  darkly.* 

“Darkness  overspreads  ns  here, 

But  the  night  wears  fast  away : 

Jacob’s  star  will  soon  appear, 

Leading  on  eternal  day  1” 

The  commission  of  sin  is  the  great  cause  of 
the  Christian  being  often  left  to  wander  in 
darkness.  “  Your  iniquities,  says  the  prophet, 
11  have  separated  between  you  and  your  God, 
and  your  sins  have  hid  his  face  from  you,  that 
he  will  not  hear.”  How  sad  is  such  a  condi¬ 
tion  !  When,  for  a  season,  the  light  of  God’s 
countenance  is  withdrawn  from  the  believer,  he 
is  led  to  cry  with  pious  Job,  “  Oh,  that  I  wert, 
as  in  months  past,  as  in  the  days  when  God  pre¬ 
served  me;  when  his  candle  shined  upon  my 
head,  and  when  by  his  light  I  walked  through 
darkness.”  Behold,  I  go  forward,  but  he  is  not 
there;  and  backward,  but  I  cannot  perceive 

*We  are  but  as  wayfaring  men,  wandering  in  the  lonely 
night,  who  see  dimly  upon  the  distant  mountain-peak  the 
reflection  of  a  sun  that  never  rises  here,  but  which  stall 
never  set  in  the  ‘new  heavens’  hereafter.” — Bonar. 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM.  391 


him  :  on  the  left  hand,  where  he  doth  woia,  hut 
I  cannot  behold,  him :  he  hideth  himself  on  the 
right  hand,  that  I  cannot  see  him and  with 
the  Psalmist,  “  My  soul  thirsteth  for  God,  for 
the  living  God  :  when  shall  I  come  and  appear 
before  God?”  And  he  can  also  say  with  the 
pious  Cowper,  who  trod  a  gloomy  path  to  the 
realms  of  day, 

“  0  for  a  closer  walk  with  God  I 
A  calm  and  heavenly  frame  1 
A  light  to  shine  upon  the  road 
That  leads  me  to  the  Lamb!” 

'  \ 

The  duty  of  the  Christian,  walking  in  dark¬ 
ness,  is  to  trust  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  and 
stay  upon  his  God.  Let  him  always  be  found 
relying  upon  his  Beloved ;  and,  though  his  days 
on  earth  may  be  darksome  ones,  yet  at  the 
“evening  time”  of  his  pilgrimage  “it  shall  be 
light.”  How  sweet  will  be  the  light  of  Heaven 
to  such  a  soul ! 

“  We  journey  in  a  vale  of  tears ; 

But  often  from  on  high 
The  glorious  bow  of  God  appears, 

A:  id  lights  up  all  our  sky. 

*  Then  through  the  breaking  clouds  of  heaven 
Far  distant  visions  come, 

And  sweetest  words  of  grace  are  given. 

To  cheer  tl  e  pilgrim  home.” 


t 


392  WANDERIN' GS  D F  i  PILGRIM. 


In  order  to  obtain  tbe  greatest  light  and  com* 

•  _ 

fort  now,  let  the  follower  of  the  Lamb  be  found 
diligently  improving  the  means  of  grace  and 
salvation,  which  God  has  afforded  him.  Let 
the  word  of  Christ  dwell  in  you  richly  in  all 
wisdom ;  teaching  and  admonishing  one  another 
in  psalms,  and  hymns,  and  spiritual  songs,  sing¬ 
ing  with  grace  in  your  hearts  to  the  Lord.  (Col. 
iii.  16.)  How  often  has  a  beam  from  Heaven 
darted  upon  the  pilgrim  while  engaged  in  the 
sweet  employment  of  praising  God ! 

“  Sometimes  a  light  surprises 
The  Christian  while  he  sings ; 

It  is  the  Lord  who  rises 
With  healing  in  his  wings; 

When  comforts  are  declining, 

He  grants  the  soul  again 
A  season  of  clear  shining, 

To  cheer  it  after  rain.” 

3.  The  believer  rests  on  Jesus  for  righteousness 
and  pardon. — The  language  of  a  renewed  soul 
is,  “In  the  Lord  have  I  righteousness  and 
strength.”  In  the  Lord  shall  all  the  seed  of 
Israel  be  justified,  and  shall  glory.  (Is.  xlv.  25.) 
Man  had  no  righteousness  of  his  own  to  justify 
him  in  sight  of  Heaven.  Hot  a  single  soul  could 
have  gained  the  celestial  Paradise  if  the  Son  of 
God  had  not  assumed  humanity,  and  by  a  life 
of  obedience  and  suffering,  fulfilled  the  violated 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGSDT,  893 


law,  and  brought  in  an  everlasting  righteous¬ 
ness.  Blessed  be  God !  the  Son  of  Righteous¬ 
ness  has  arisen  upon  our  benighted  world ;  and 
Zion’s  pilgrims  walk  in  his  light.  Christ  is  the 
end  of  the  law  for  righteousness  to  every  one 
that  believeth.  {Rom.  x.  4.)  In  the  23d  chapter 
of  Jeremiah  he  is  called,  “  The  Lord  our 
Righteousness.”  Every  believer  in  Christ  is 
arrayed  in  that  linen,  clean  and  white,  which 
is  the  righteousness  of  saints.  His  robes  are 
washed  and  made  white  in  the  blood  of  the 
Lamb. 

How  happy  is  the  condition  of  the  saint !  His 
sins  are  all  cancelled  by  the  atoning  righteous¬ 
ness  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour,  whose  language 
is,  “ 1,  even  I,  am  he  that  blotteth  out  thy  trans¬ 
gressions  for  mine  own  sake,  and  will  not  re¬ 
member  thy  sins.”  As  the  Christian  pilgrim 
journeys  towards  the  realms  of  peace,  leaning 
upon  Jesus  for  righteousness  and  pardon,  he  can 
raise  his  voice  in  triumphant  songs  of  praise  to 
his  Redeemer.  This  is  one  of  his  sweetest  songs 
in  the  house  of  his  pilgrimage :  “  I  will  greatly 
rejoice  in  the  Lord,  my  soul  shall  be  joyful  in 
his  God ;  for  he  hath  clothed  me  with  the  gar¬ 
ments  of  salvation,  he  hath  covered  me  with  the 
robe  of  righteousness.” 

He  can  also  look  forward  to  the  dark  waters 
of  Jor  lan,  and  say,  with  the  poet, 


%  \  0 

394  WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM. 


4  When  deatn  shall  loose  the  silver  cord, 

Obedient  to  thy  mandate,  Lord, 

My  soul  shall  joy  and  peace  possess, 

If  Jesus  be  my  righteousness.” 

4.  The  Christian  pilgrim  relies  on  Jesus  for 
guidance  through  this  vale  of  tears  to  the  peaceful 
shore  of  a  blessed  eternity. — Thou  shalt  guide  me 
with  thj  counsel,  and  afterward  receive  me  to 
glory.  ( Ps .  lxxiii.  24.) 

“Jesus,  on  thee  our  hope  depends, 

To  lead  us  on  to  thine  abode : 

Assured  our  home  will  make  amends 

For  all  our  toil  while  on  the  road.” 
w 

Amidst  all  the  vicissitudes  of  a  sublunary 
scene — in  prosperity  and  adversity,  in  health 
and  sickness,  in  life  and  death,  the  weary  pil¬ 
grim  reclines  on  the  Almighty  arm  of  Jesus, 
and  all  is  well.  He  knows  that  what  the  Saviour 
has  promised,  he  will  perform;  and  he  reads, 
with  unspeakable  delight,  these  precious  prom¬ 
ises:  “I  will  instruct  thee,  and  teach  thee  in 
the  way  which  them  shalt  go :  I  will  guide  thee 
with  mine  eye.”  (Ps.  xxxii.  8.)  “And  the  Lord 
shall  guide  thee  continually,  and  satisfy  thy  soul 
in  drought,  and  make  fat  thy  bones :  and  thou 
shalt  be  like  a  watered  garden,  and  like  a  spring 
of  w’ater,  whose  waters  fail  not.”  (Is.  lviii.  11.) 

5.  The  believer  trusts  in  Christ  for  eternal  life . — 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  1  II  GRIM.  395 


Of  tiiat  little  flock  who  have  chosen  the  better 
land  for  their  inheritance,  Jesus  says,  “I  will 
give  unto  them  eternal  -life ;  and  they  shall 
never  perish,  neither  shall  any  pluck  them  out 
of  my  hand and  again :  “  I  am  the  resurrection, 
and  the  life :  he  that  believeth  in  me,  though  he 
were  dead,  yet  shall  he  live:  and  whosoever 
live th,  and  believeth  in  me  shall  never  die.” 
This  is  the  most  precious  promised  blessing  of 
the  covenant  of  grace.  No  created  mind  can 
comprehend  the  full  import  of  these  words — 
eternal  life  I  They  include  in  them  the 
highest  bliss  of  Heaven.  Such  a  life  will  the 
Saviour  eventually  bestow  upon  those  who  now 
repose  in  him.  There  is  a  blissful  hour  fast 
approaching,  when  the  weather-beaten  pilgrim 
shall  be  raised  above  the  storms  of  life  by  the 
Saviour’s  hand.  Beyond  the  swellings  of  the 
Jordan  of  death  there  is  a  peaceful  shore,  a 
happy  land,  where  the  pilgrims  of  Zion  shall  be 
invested  with  the  robes  of  immortality,  and 
reign  with  Christ  forever  and  ever. 

Fellow  pilgrim,  we  would  earnestly  invite  you 
to  come  and  put  your  trust  in  Him  who  will 
sustain  you  amid  the  heart-rending  trials  of  this 
vale  of  tears,  and  who  will  bring  you  to  a  better 
land — who  will  bestow  upon  you  an  immortal' 
existence,  an  unfading  wreath  of  glory  in  that 
world  beyond  the  stars.  In  all  your  wanderings 


396  WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM. 


through  this  world,  cleave  closely  to  J esus. 
Live  to  Him  who  died  for  you.  0,  may  the  re¬ 
deeming  love  of  the  blessed  Saviour  constrain 
vou  to  be  wholly  his.  Live  with  an  eye  fixed 
upon  his  cross.  Turn  to  that  sacred  mount, 
and  behold  a  Saviour  expiring  for  your  sal 
vation ;  hear  him  exclaiming,  u  It  is  finished.” 

'*  O  the  sweet  wonders  of  that  cross. 

Where  Christ,  my  Saviour,  loved  and  died; 

Her  noblest  life  my  spirit  draws 

From  his  dear  wounds  and  bleeding  side.” 

Go,  then,  and  live  upon  Christ.  Live  in  the 
daily  contemplation  of  his  gloriofis  atonement, 
and  in  the  sincere  belief  of  his  all-sufficiency  to 
save  your  soul.  May  your  language  ever  be 
that  of  an  enraptured  Apostle:  “God  forbid 
that  I  should  glory,  save  in  the  cross  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by  whom  the  world  is  cruci¬ 
fied  unto  me,  and  I  unto  the  world.” 

If  you  thus  live  by  faith  in  Christ,  and  in  the 
blessed  hope  of  a  glorious  immortality,  you  need 
not  fear,  at  the  close  of  life,  to  tread  along 
death’s  dark  vale — to  cross  Jordan’s  swelling 
stream;  for  in  that  solemn  hour,  Jesus  will 
sustain  and  comfort  you  by  his  presence ;  and 
God  will  redeem  your  soul  from  the  power  of 
the  giave ;  for  he  shall  receive  you. 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM.  o97 


1  0,  could  I  find,  from  day  to  day, 

A  nearness  to  my  God, 

Then  would  my  hours  glide  sweet  away, 
While  leaning  on  his  word. 

Lord,  I  desire  with  thee  to  live 
Anew  from  day  to  day, 

In  joys  the  world  can  never  give, 

Nor  ever  take  away. 

“Blest  Jesus,  come,  and  rule  my  heart. 
And  make  me  wholly  thine, 

That  1  may  r.ever  more  depart, 
iNhw  grieve  thy  love  divine. 

•-•Thus,  till  my  last,  expiring  breath, 

Thy  goodness  I'll  adore 
And  when  my  frame  dissolves  in  ckia!i, 
My  gouI  shall  low  thee  1*10*** 


898  vvanierings  or  i  pilgrim. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

PASSAGE  OVER  THE  JORDAN  OF  DEATIT. 

“When  tliou  passest  through  the  waters,  I  will  be  with 
thee :  and  through  the  rivers,  they  shall  not  overflow  thee/’ — 
la  xliii.  2. 


“  How  sweet  the  hour  of  closing  clay. 

When  all  is  peaceful  and  serene, 

And  when  the  sun,  with  cloudless  ray, 

Sheds  mellow  lustre  o’er  the  scene! 

“  Such  is  the  Christian's  parting  hour. 

So  peacefully  he  sinks  to  rest ; 

When  faith,  endowed  from  Heaven  with  power 
Sustains  and  cheers  his  languid  breast.” 

As  the  Christian  pilgrim  is  about  to  leave  the 
wilderness  of  this  world  forever,  he  has  to  cross 
a  dark  stream.  The  Jordan  of  death  rolls  be¬ 
tween  this  world  and  the  Celestial  Canaan.  Be¬ 
fore  they  obtained  full  possession  of  the  prom 
ised  land,  the  Israelites  had  to  pass  over  Jor 
dan;  so  every  traveller  to  the  Canaan  abovt 
must  cross  over  the  river  of  death,  before  he  is 
admitted  into  the  courts  of  paradise,  and  obtains 
possession  of  the  heavenly  inheritance. 

In  the  3d  chapter  of  Joshua  we  have  an  in- 


✓ 


/  N 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM.  399 


teresting  account  of  tlie  Israelites’  passage  over 
Iordan.  We  there  read  as  follows:  “And  it 
came  to  pass,  when  the  people  removed  from 
their  tents  to  pass  over  Jordan,  and  the  priests 
bearing  the  ark  of  the  covenant  before  the  peo¬ 
ple,  that,  as  they  that  bare  the  ark  were  come 
into  Jordan,  and  the  feet  of  the  priests  were 
dipped  in  the  brim  of  the  water,  that  the  waters 
which  came  down  from  above  stood  and  rose  up 
upon  a  heap ;  and  the  priests  that  bare  the  ark 
of  the  covenant  of  the  Lord  stood  firm  on  dry 
ground  in  the  midst  of  Jordan,  and  all  the  Is¬ 
raelites  passed  over  on  dry  ground.”  Now,  all 
this  is  typical  of  the  believer’s  triumphant  pas¬ 
sage  over  the  Jordan  of  death.  When  the  faint¬ 
ing  Christian  pilgrim  comes  to  the  brink  of  this 
last  swelling  stream,  over  which  all  must  pass, 
Jesus  Christ,  our  great  High  Priest,  who  bears 
the  everlasting  covenant  on  his  shoulders,  goes 
before  and  rolls  back  the  surging  waves,  that  the 
ransomed  soul  may  pass  safely  over  into  glory. 
In  the  prospect  of  dissolution,  the  saint  snay 
say,  with  a  Christian  poet — • 

“  A  swelling  Jordan  rolls  between, 

A  timid  pilgrim  I ; 

But  grace  shall  order  all  the  scene, 

And  Christ  himself  be  nigh. 

He  shall  roll  back  the  foaming  wave, 

Command  ^lie  channel  dry; 


I  ' 

400  WANDil.HKGS  OF  4.  PILCiRIM. 


No  sting  hath  d-eath,  no  vict’ry  grave, 

With  Jesus  in  my  eye.” 

What  we  design  in  the  few  following  pages, 
is,  to  comfort  the  timid  Christian  in  the  prospect 
of  death ;  to  show  that  Jesus  is  with  believers 
in  the  dark  valley ;  to  cite  some  of  the  last 
•  words  of  eminent  saints,  who,  sustained  and 
cheered  by  the  Saviour,  have  passed  over  Jordan 
with  songs  of  triumph;  and  to  contemplate  the 
happy  termination  of  the  Christian  pilgrim’s 
journey,  and  his  joyful  entrance  upon  the  rest 
above. 

1.  The  precious  religion  of  Jesus  affords  the 
strongest  consolation  to  the  Christian  pilgrim  in 
the  view  of  death. — There  is  no  reason  why  he 
should  dread  its  approach.  Its  terrors  are  sub¬ 
dued;  its  sting  is  extracted;  it  is  a  disarmed 
enemy.  Death  cannot  harm  the  child  of  God ; 
but  for  him  to  die  is  gain.  To  such  it  is  the  be¬ 
ginning  of  everlasting,  celestial  joys — the  day¬ 
break  of  a  glorious  eternity.  It  is  only  a  peaceful 
slumber  in  Jesus — an  entering  into  the  joy  of 
the  Lord.  -It  is  but  to  depart  from  a  land  of 
sorrow  and  bereavement,  and  be  with  Christ,  in 
those  happy  regions  where  God  shall  wipe  away 
all  tears  from  the  eye.  To  the  Christian,  “  death 
has  changed  its  nature  and  its  name.  Call  it  no 
more  death ;  it  is  the  sweet  sleep  of  the  body, 
deposited  in  its  earthl)  bed,  under  the  eye  of 


WANDERINGS  OP  k.  PILGRIM.  401 


the  Redeemer,  till  the  mcrning  of  the  resurrec¬ 
tion.” 

Many  pious  Christians  are  held  in  bondage 
by  the  fear  of  crossing  the  river  of  death. 
Their  feelings  with  regard  to  this  subj'  are 
not  what  they  should  be.  They  ought  to  rise 
above  the  fear  of  dissolution ;  for  Christ  has  de¬ 
livered  us  from  this  bondage.  He  has  achieved 
this  victory  by  the  assumption  of  humanity — 
by  destroying  the  works  of  the  devil,  and  by 
passing  through  the  swelling  Jordan  in  our 
nature.  Forasmuch,  then,  as  the  children  are 
partakers  of  flesh  and  blood,  he  also  himself 
likewise  took* part  of  the  same;  that  through 
death  he  might  destroy  him  that  had  the  power 
of  death,  that  is,  the  devil;  and  deliver  them,  who, 
through  fear  of  death,  were  all  their  lifetime 
subject  to  bondage.  (Ileb.  ii.  14,  15.)  The  Sav¬ 
iour  has  warmed  the  cold  grave  for  his  disci¬ 
ples.  He  has  made  an  easy  way  through  the 
swellings  of  Jordan  for  the  faithful  followers. 
Why,  then,  fellow  pilgrim,  are  you  afraid  to 
cross  this  stream  when  the  channel  is  dry? 
when  you  see  the  footprints  of  your  Redeemer 
in  the  bottom  ?  when  death  is  but  a  sure  step 
into  glory  ?  Surely  there  is  no  ground  for  dis¬ 
may  to  the  believer  in  that  solemn  hour  which 
terminates  his  earthly  pilgrimage;  but  every 
reason  ror  joyfulness.  For  we  know  that  if  our 
34 


402  WANDERINGS  OF  A  -PILGRIM. 


* 


earthly  house  of  this  tabernacle  were  dissolved, 
we  have  a  building  of  God,  a  house  not  made 
with  hands  eternal  in  the  heavens.  (2  Cor.  v.  1.) 

There  is  no  condemnation  to  the  believer; 
for,  being  justified  by  faith,  he  has  peace  with 
God,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  He  has 
peace  during  his  pilgrimage;  he  has  peace  in 
the  hour  of  death.  In  Christ,  he  obtains  a  com¬ 
plete  victory  over  death  and  the  gloomy  grave. 
Washed  in  the  atoning  blood  of  the  Saviour, 
and  clad  in  the  snowy  robe  of  his  righteous¬ 
ness,  he  can  shout  forth  joyfully,  upon  a  dying 
bed,  “  0  death,  where  is  thy  sting  ?  0  grave, 

where  is  tliy  victory  ?  The  sting  of  death  is 
sin;  and  the  strength  of  sin  is  the  law.  But 
thanks  be  to  God,  who  giveth  us  the  victory, 
through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.” 

It  is  Jesus,  the  sinner’s  Friend,  who  disarms 
death  of  its  terrors — who  makes  a  dying  bed  so 
easy  to  the  believer ;  hence  many  a  once  timid 
pilgrim  has  been  able  to  say  in  his  last  mo¬ 
ments,  “Is  this  dying?  Is  this  the  enemy  that 
dismayed  me  so  long,  now  appearing  so  harm¬ 
less,  and  even  pleasant?”  0,  how  reviving  to 
that 

!  Jesus  can  make  a  dying  bed 

Feel  soft  as  downy  pillows  are, 

While  on  his  breast  I  lean  mv  head. 

And  breathe  my  1  f?  out  sweetly  there.”  - 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM.  403 


2.  But  Christ  is  with  his  chosen  people  in  the 
midst  of  Jordan . — His  precious  promise  is : 
11  When  thou  passest  through  the  waters,  I  will 
be  with  thee ;  and  through  the  rivers,  they  shah 
not  overflow  thee.”  In  their  passage  through 
death,  the  Lord  upholds  and  cheers  the  souls  of 
his  ransomed  ones  by  the  endearing  manifesta¬ 
tions  of  his  gracious  presence  and  wonderful 
love. 

“How  happy  is  the  dying  saint. 

Whose  sins  are  all  forgiven ; 

With  joy  he  passes  Jordan’s  flood, 

Upheld  by  hopes  of  heaven. 

“The  Saviour,  whom  he  truly  loved, 

Now  cheers  him  by  his  grace; 

A  glory  gilds  his  dying  bed, 

And  beams  upon  his  face.” 

Hence,  thousands  of  God’s  children  have  been 
enabled  to  exclaim,  while  descending  into  the 
shadowy  vale,  “  Yea,  though  I  walk  through  the 
valley  of  the  shadow  of  death,  I  will  fear  no 
evil :  for  thou  art  with  me :  thy  red  and  thy 
staff  they  comfort  me.”  It  was  the  soul-ravish¬ 
ing  manifestation  of  the  Saviour’s  presence  and 
love  that  made  the  martyrs  so  joyful  at  the 
stake ;  and  it  is  this  that  has  made  many  a  de¬ 
parting  saint  burst  forth  with  rapturous  joy  in 
such  language  as  :his :  “  Oh !  why  is  the  chariot 
so  long  in  coming?  Why  tarry  the  wheels  of 


- 


404  WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM. 


his  chariot?  Come,  Lord  Jesus;  come  quickly  I” 
O  what  amazing  mercy  does  Jesus  often  be¬ 
stow  upon  his  faithful  follower  in  the  darksome 
valley,  and  in  the  deep  Jordan,  when  the  cold 
hand  of  death  is  upon  him ! 

“Jesus,  tlie  vision  of  thy  face 
Hath  overpowering  charms; 

Scarce  shall  I  fvel  death’s  cold  embrace, 

If  Christ  be  in  my  arms.” 

3.  We  now  proceed  to  cite  the  dying  sayings  of 
a  few  eminent ,  pious  Christians ,  who  have  been 
wonderfully  sustained  by  divine  grace  during  their 
passage  over  the  Jordan  of  death. 

We  mention  the  following  glorious  exam¬ 
ples  : 

Donald  Cargill :  “  This  is  the  most  joyful  day 
that  ever  I  saw  in  my  pilgrimage  on  earth.  My 
joy  is  now  begun,  which  I  see  shall  never  be 
interrupted.” 

Luther :  “  Into  thy  hands  I  commit  my  spirit , 
God  of  truth,  thou  hast  redeemed  me.” 

Thomas  Holland:  “Come,  0  come,  Lord 
Jesus,  thou  bright  Morning  Star !  Come,  Lord 
Jesus,  I  desire  to  be  dissolved  and  to  be  with 
thee.” 

John  Flavel:  “I  know  that  it  will  be  well 
with  me.” 

Alexander  Henderson  “  I  am  near  the  end 


I 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  Fit  GRIM.  405 


of  my  race,  hasting  home,  and  there  was  never 
a  school- boy  more  desirous  to  have  the  play, 
than  I  am  to  have  ‘leave  of  this  world.” 

Rev.  Thomas  Cartwright:  “ I  have  found  un¬ 
utterable  comfort  and  happiness,  and  God  has 
given  me  a  glimpse  of  heaven.” 

John  Locke:  “0  the. depth  of  the  riches  of 
the  goodness  and  knowledge  of  God.” 

Rev.  James  H.  Evans:  “In  Jesus  I  stand.” 

Rev.  Augustus  M.  Toplady:  “I  believe  God 
never  gave  such  manifestations  of  his  love  to 
any  creature,  and  suffered  him  to  live.” 

John  Tennent:  “  Welcome  God  and  Father 
— welcome  sweet  Lord  Jesus!  Welcome  death 
— welcome  eternity.  Amen.  Lord  Jesus,  come,  * 
Lord  Jesus.” 

Rev.  Samuel  Finley :  “  I  see  the  eternal  love  . 
and  goodness  of  God.  I  see  the  love  of  Jesus. 
Oh  to  be  dissolved,  and  to  be  with  him !  I  long 
to  be  clothed  with  the  complete  righteousness  of 
Christ.” 

Rev.  Dr.  Waddell:  “Lord  Jesus,  receive  my 
spirit.” 

Ralph  Frskine :  “Victory,  victory,  victory.” 

John  Wesley:  “The  best  of  all  is,  God  is 
with  us.” 

Felix  Neff:  Adieu,  adieu.  I  am  departing 
to  our  Father  in  perfect  peace.  Victory,  vic¬ 
tory,  ‘victory!  by  Jesus  Christ.” 


406  WANDERIK  (rS  OF  A  Pit  GRIM 


Dr.  Bogue :  “  I  am  looking  to  that  compas¬ 
sionate  Saviour,  whose  blood  cleanseth  from  all 
sm. 

Dr.  Kevins  :  “  Death — Death !  Now  come, 
Lord  Jesus — Dear  Saviour  .” 

To  Dr.  Waugh  one  said,  “You  are  now  in 
the  deep  Jordan;  have  you  any  doubt  that 
Christ  will  be  with  you?”  He  replied,  “Cer¬ 
tainly  not !  Who  else  ?  Who  else  ?” 

Bev.  D.  H.  Gillette:  “0  that  I  had  strength 
to  shout !  I  feel  so  happy ;  I  hope  soon  to  be 
able.”  0,  the  precious  Saviour;  what  is  the 
world  to  me,  with  all  its  vanity?  Give  me 
Jesus.”  “Do  not  weep  for  me,  I  am  going 
home.” 

Bev.  Dr.  Alexander  Proudfit:*  “When  will 
this  lingering  conflict  end!  Oh  for  a  speedy 
and  easy  transition !  Oh  for  deliverance  from 
this  corruptible  body — this  body  of  sin  and 
death !  Come,  blessed  Jesus,  dear  Saviour, 
come !  come !  I  long  to  depart.” 

Bev.  Dr.  John  H.  Bice:  “Mercy  is  triumph¬ 
ant.” 


*  See  an  interesting  Memoir  of  this  man  of  God,  by  John 
Forsyth,  D.  D. 

Dr.  Proudfit  was  long  a  paster  of  the  Associate  Reformed 
Church  of  Salem,  N.  Y. ,  and  he  was  one  of  the  most  pious 
and  faithful  embassadors  of  the  cross  that  has  shone  in  the 
church 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM.  4-07 


Dr.  Nettleton :  “It  is  meet  to  trust  in  tlie 
Lord.” 

Eev.  Eobt.  Anderson:  “Peace!  peace!  How 
gracious  God  is  in  so  making  it  all  peace !” 

Elisha  Ma  curdy :  “  The  Saviour  is  all  my 
comfort.” 

Thomas  Cranfield  :  “  A  few  more  sighs,  and 
then” — 

Wilberforce  Eiclimond :  “  The  rest  which 
Christ  gives  is  sweet.” 

Mrs.  Hannah  More :  “  Jesus  is  all  in  alh 
God  of  grace,  God  of  light,  God  of  love :  whom 
have  I  in  heaven  but  thee  ?  It  is  a  glorious 
thing  to  die.”  Her  last  word  was,  “Joy.” 

Mrs.  Isabella  Graham :  “  I  have  no  more 
doubt  of  going  to  my  Saviour,  than  if  I  were 
already  in  his  arms.” 

Mrs.  Louisa  Mundy  :  “  The  prospect  is  to  me 
any  thing  but  gloomy.” 

Mrs.  Harriet  Winslow :  “  How  good  is  the 
Lord !” 

Maria  Fox  :  “I  am  thoroughly  comfortable.” 
“I  know  my  Saviour  loves  me,  and  I  am  re* 
posing  in  his  love.” 

H.  W,  Fox  :  “I  am  very  weak,  can  scarcely 
speak,  but  oh  !  happy  I  happy  ! !”  “  Jesus,  Je¬ 

sus  must  be  first  in  the  heart.  He  is  first  in 
mine,  yes,  he  is.” 

“Eev  Thomas  Thomason:  “This  is  a  dark 


408  WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM. 

% 

<# 

valley,  but  there  is  light  at  the  end.”  “  Thanks 
be  unto  God  for  his  unspeakable  gift.”  “  Lord 
Jesus  receive  my  spirit.”  “Lord  give  me  pa¬ 
tience.”  “  I  hope  the  Lord  is  coming  quickly.” 

Thus,  we  have  presented  a  few  dying  sayings 
of  several  pious  Christians  who  passed  the  river 
of  death  upheld  by  divine  grace.*  Innumer¬ 
able  other  similar  cases  might  be  cited ;  .  but 
these  are  sufficient  to  show  with  what  great 
mercy  and  loving  kindness  the  Lord  generally 
deals  with  his  people  in  the  hour  and  article  of 
death.  Although  many  of  God’s  children  have 
not  enjoyed  such  bright,  sensible  manifestations 
of  his  gracious  presence  in  their  dying  moments 
—although  they  may  have  gone  to  heaven 
under  a  cloud,  yet  their  passage  over  the  Jor¬ 
dan  of  death  was  as  safe  as  that  of  the  most 
joyful  believer. 

In  the  matchless  dream  of  Bunyan,  we  have 
an  admirable  description  of  the  triumphant 


*  The  reader  who  is  desirous  of  pursuing  this  subject 
more  fully,  is  respectfully  referred  to  our  Treatise  on  “  The 
Love  of  Christ,”  where  he  will  find  thirty-one  dying  testi¬ 
monies  of  other  saints,  none  of  which  are  included  in  the 
above  ;  and  to  that  excellent  work  entitled  “The  Grace  of 
Christ,”  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Plumer — one  of  the  most  pious  and 
faithful  ministers  of  Jesus  Christ.  We  would  earnestly 
commend  this  volume  to  all  who  have  felt  the  sweet  con 
ctrainirg  influence  of  the  grace  of  Christ  upon  their  souls. 


f 


WANDERINGS  OF  a.  PILGRIM.  409 


passage  of  tlie  pilgrims  over  Jordan.  There 
we  find  that  the  most  timid  got  over  as  safely 
as  the  most  fearless.  The  last  words  of  Ready  • 
to-halt  were,  “Welcome,  life.”  The  last  words 
of  Feeble-mind  were,  “Hold  out,  faith  and  pa¬ 
tience.”  The  last  words  of  Despondency  were, 
“Farewell,  night!  welcome,  day!”  Even  his 
daughter,  Much-afraid,  “  went  through  the  river 
singing ;  but  no  one  could  understand  what  she 
said.” 

But  how  transporting  were  the  last  words 
of  Mr.  Standfast!  “This  river,”  said  he,  “has 
been  a  terror  to  many ;  yea,  the  thoughts  of  it 
also  have  often  frightened  me;  but  now  me- 
thinks  I  stand  easy,  my  foot  is  fixed  upon  that 
on  which  the  feet  of  the  priests  that  bare  the 
ark  of  the  covenant  stood  while  Israel  went  over 
Jordan.  ( Joshua  iii.  17.)  The  waters  indeed  are 
to  the  palate  bitter,  and  to  the  stomach  cold; 
yet  the  thoughts  of  what  I  am  going  to,  and  of 
the  convoy  that  waits  for  me  on  the  other  side, 
do  lie  as  a  glowing  coal  at  my  heart.  I  see 
myself  now  at  the  end  of  my  journey  ;  my  toil¬ 
some  days  are  ended.  I  am  going  to  see  that 
head  which  was  crowned  with  thorns,  and  that 
face  which  was  spit  upon  for  me.  I  have  for¬ 
merly  lived  by  hearsay  and  faith ;  but  now  I  go 
where  I  shall  live  by  sight,  and  shall  be  with 
Him  in  whose  company  I  delight  myself  1 
8 1 


410  WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM. 


have  loved  to  hear  my  Lord  spoken  of;  and 
wherever  I  have  seen  the  print  of  his  shoe  in 
the  earth,  there  I  have  coveted  to  set  my  foot 
too.  His  name  has  been  to  me  as  a  civet-box ; 
yea,  sweeter  than  all  perfumes.  His  voice  to 
me  has  been  most  sweet,  and  his  countenance  I 
have  more  desired  than  they  that  have  most  de¬ 
sired  the  light  of  tfte  sun.  His  words  I  did  use 
to  gather  for  my  food,  and  for  antidotes  against 
my  faintings.  He  hath  held  me,  and  hath  kept 
me  from  mine  iniquities  ;  yea,  my  steps  hath  he 
strengthened  in  his  way.” 

4.  Here  we  see  the  happy  termination  of  the 
Christian's  pilgrimage  on  earth. — His  sorrowful 
days  are  ended.  He  has  fought  the  good  fight ; 
he  has  finished  his  course ;  he  has  kept  the 
faith ;  he  has  obtained  the  victory ;  he  has 
crossed  the  swellings  of  Jordan,  and  gone  to  re¬ 
ceive  an  immortal  crown. 

But  who  can  describe  the  glories  which  en¬ 
circle  the  saint,  safely  landed  on  the  happy  shores 
of  Immanuel’s  land  ? 


“In  vain  my  fancy  strives  to  paint 
The  moment  after  death  ; 

The  glories  that  surround  the  saints, 
When  yielding  up  their  breath. 

‘One  gentle  sigh  their  fetters  breaks; 
We  scarce  can  say  ‘They’re  gone,’ 


WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM.  411 


Before  the  willing  spirit  takes 
Her  mansion  near  the  throne.” 

N  dw  the  Christian  traveller  has  reached  his 
everlasting  home — that  house  not  made  with 
hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens.  Now  the  trying 
scenes  of  earth  are  passed,  and  the  wanderer, 
raised  above  the  storms  of  life,  steps  upon  an¬ 
other  shore ;  he  enters  a  land,  blooming  with 
immortality,  and  illuminated  by  the  effulgent 
beams  of  the  Sun  of  Righteousness.  Now  he  is 
ever  with  the  Lord.  Now  he  is  seated  with 
Immanuel  on  his  heavenly  throne.  Now  he  is 
arrayed  in  the  shining  robes  of  glory,  and  drinks 
of  the  rivers  of  pleasures  at  God’s  right  hand. 
When  we  contemplate  the  past  suffering  condi¬ 
tion,  and  the  present  felicitous  state  of  such  a 
one,  we  may  truly  say :  This  is  he  who  has 
come  out  of  great  tribulation,  and  has  washed 
his  robe  and  made  it  white  in  the  blood  of  the 
Lamb.  Therefore  is  he  before  the  throne  of 
God,  and  serves  him  day  and  night  in  his  tem¬ 
ple.  He  shall  hunger  no  more,  neither  thirst 
any  more ;  neither  shall  the  sun  light  on  him, 
nor  any  heat.  For  the  Lamb  which  is  in  the 
midst  of  the  throne  shall  feed  him,  and  lead  him 
unto  living  fountains  of  waters  ;  and  God  shall 
wipe  away  all  tears  from  his  eyes.  {Re t.  vii., 
14  IT.) 


412  WANDERINGS  OF  A  PILGRIM 


0  happy  termination  of  the  pilgrim’s  journey 
on  earth  I  0  blessed  beginning  of  his  felicity 
in  heaven  I 

“  ’Tis  past — the  voyage  of  life  is  o’er, 

The  wanderer  hails  another  clime ; 

On  perils  borne  to  yonder  shore, 

He  views  afar  the  waves  of  time. 

The  storm  that  muttered  o’er  his  head, 

The  flame  that  quivered  round  his  path. 

Are  sweetly  hushed  ;  the  cloud  hath  fled, 

And  gone  the  angry  lightning’s  scath. 

'Tis  past ;  and  grief  is  changed  to  songs 
That  angel-cordons  love  to  hear: 

The  harp  that  to  delight  belongs, 

In  softest  murmur  soothes  his  ear. 

For  secret  sighs  that  rent  his  breast 
There’s  peace  to  seraphs  only  known,— 

The  tear  that  told  the  heart,  oppressed. 

Is  gemmed  upon  the  eternal  throne. 

Blessed  voyager !  how  happy  thou, 

Safe  moored  within  the  port  of  peace 
Once  heir  of  death — immortal  now, 

Of  pain — thy  toils  forever  cease. 

O  may  I,  too,  thus  sweetly  rise, 

Thus  tread  yon  bright  empyrean  free- 
With  joy  regain  those  native  skies, 

Secure  at  last  in  love  like  thee.” 


\ 


P  K  K  f  A  0  E. 


The  desigr.  of  this  essay  is  to  afford  a  glimpse  of  Im- 
manue.’s  land;  to  exhibit  some  of  the  powerful  attrac¬ 
tions  of  that  world  of  glory. 

To  those  who  are  asking  the  way  to  Zion,  with  their 
faces  thitherward,  the  author  knows  that  his  present 
theme  will  be  at  all  times  refreshing. 

Future  felicity  in  Heaven  is  the  most  cheering  subject 
that  can  be  presented  for  the  contemplation  of  the 
Christian  in  this  vale  of  tears.  "What  can  be  more  de¬ 
lightful  than  for  the  weary  pilgrim  who  is  fast  hastening 
to  mansions  in  the  skies,  to  meditate  on  the  glories  of  his 
future  home?  There  is  much  in  this  subject  to  animate 
us  in  the  thorny  pathway  to  immortality.  It  affords 
hope  in  life’s  darkest  hour;  it  points  with  its  glorious 
light  to  the  realms  of  bliss,  where  no  tear  is  ever  shed 
and  where  no  sorrow  ever  enters. 

There  is  much  in  Immanuel’s  land  to  engage  our  hearts 
in  holy  meditation  while  we  sojourn  as  strangers  and  pil¬ 
grims  here.  The  bright  mansions  of  our  Father’s  house 
— the  many  crowns  of  glory  laid  up  for  us  there — the 
joyous  rest  that  remaineth  for  our  weary  souls — the 
sweet  employment  of  the  redeemed  in  glory — the  en 
deared  soo'et}  in  the  heavenly  home,  are  all  presented  to 


416  PREFACE 

attract  us  to  Heaven — to  induce  us  to  set  our  affections 
on  things  abcre. 

Then,  let  as  fix  our  hearts  more  steadfastly  upon 
heavenly  joys — upon  the  glories  of  Immanuel’s  land. 

In  handling  this  delightful  subject,  the  Word  of  God 
has  been  our  guide.  To  this  blessed  volume  we  are  in¬ 
debted  for  all  the  revelations  that  have  been  made  of  the 
glory  of  the  celestial  world.  In  the  Bible  we  obtain  a 
glimpse  of  the  glorious  land. 

May  He  whose  infinite  love  fitted  up  those  bright 
abodes  of  bliss,  bless  our  present  effort  to  the  souls  of 
men,  in  leading  them  to  lay  up  their  treasures  in  Heaven, 
and  to  choose  that  better  part  which  snail  never  be  taken 
away  from  them. 

Heavenly  meditation  is  a  delightful  work,  in  which  our 
souls  should  be  daily  engaged,  till  we  enter  the  portals 
of  glory,  and  begin  our  unending  song  in  the  paradise 
of  God.  0  1  may  that  sweet  hour  soon  come. 

“O!  soon  may  Heaven  uncloso  to  mel 
O !  may  I  soon  that  glory  see ! 

And  my  faint,  weary  spirit,  stand 
Within  that  nappy,  happy  landf* 

Abgyle,  N.  Ym  Nov.,  18581 


IMMANUEL’S  LAND. 


CHAPTER  I. 

THE  PLACE. 

I  go  to  prepare  a  place  for  you.” — John  xiv  2. 

‘There  is  a  world  of  rich  delight, 

Where  warm  affections  glow ; 

Where  reigns  the  everlasting  light. 
Where  crystal  waters  flow. 

“There  happy  saints  securely  dwell 
From  Satan’s  deadly  power : 

Their  bliss  no  mortal  tongue  can  te.* 

‘  Unfolding  ev’ry  hour.’ 

“They  dweM  with  Jesus,  and  behold 
The  beauties  of  his  face ; 

Secure  in  the  celestial  fold, 

And  crown’d  by  sovereign  grace. 

“From  earth  and  all  its  empty  joys, 

Blest  Jesus,  set  me  free; 

How  vain  the  worldling’s  gilded  toy^ 
Compared  with  heav’n  and  thee 


418 


IMMANUEL’S  LAND. 


"Thou  art  my  hope,  my  way  my  bliss, 

My  glory,  and  my  crown  ; 

Descend,  tliou  blessed  Prince  of  Peace, 

And  make  my  heart  thy  throne.” 

\ 

How  full  of  consolation  are  the  Holy  Scrip¬ 
tures!  They  animate  the  Christian  in  his  pil¬ 
grimage  on  earth ;  they  point  out  the  way  of 
salvation  through  a  crucified  Jesus ;  they  lead 
the  ransomed  sinner  to  the  gates  of  the  celestial 
city,  and  seat  him  amidst  the  untold  and  incon¬ 
ceivable  glories  of  Paradise.  The  Scriptures 
urge  us  to  set  our  affections  on  the  glories  of  the 
Christian’s  eternal  home.  To  those  in  whose 
hearts  Christ  is  formed  the  hope  of  glory,  how 
beautiful,  how  tender,  how  soul-reviving  -is  the 
language  of  inspiration !  It  is  written  :  u  If  ye 
then  be  risen  with  Christ,  seek  those  things 
which  are  above,  where  Christ  sitteth  on  the 
right  hand  of  God.  Set  your  affection  on  things 
above,  not  on  things  on  the  earth.” 

In  compliance  with  the  sacred  command  we 
shall  endeavor,  through  divine  assistance,  to 
raise  our  thoughts  to  those  scenes  of  bliss  which 
the  redeemed  perpetually  enjoy  before  the  throne 
of  God  and  the  Lamb.  W e  shall  contemplate 
the  place  itself,  where  all  the  precious  flock  of 
Christ  are  to  dwell  through  an  endless  day.  In 
connection  with  this  we  shall  notice  a  few  of  the 
powerful  attractions  of  that  blessed  abode. 


419 


IMMANUEL’S  LAND 


Heaven  is  a  pla3e  as  well  as  a  state.  Among 
the  last  words  of  our  Kedeemer  before  he  left 
this  vale  of  tears,  we  find  this  cheering  declara¬ 
tion  and  promise :  “  I  go  to  prepare  a  place  for 
you.  And  if  I  go  and  prepare  a  place  for  you, 
I  will  come  again,  and  receive  you  unto  myself ; 
that  where  I  am,  there  ye  may  be  also.”  Pre¬ 
cious  words  from  a  loving  Friend !  But  'follow 
Him  to  the  land  of  promise.  Christ  has  now 
gone  to  prepare  that  place  for  us!  0  what  a 
place  will  Jesus  prepare  for  his  dear  children ! 
What  a  place  will  infinite  love  make1  How 
attractive  will  it  be !  Well  may  we  confess  our 
utter  inability  to  portray  the  regions  of  glory, 
and  exclaim  with  an  enraptured  Apostle,  “Eye 
hath  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard,  neither  have 
entered  into  the  heart  of  man  the  thing0 
which  God  hath  prepared  for  them  that  love 
him.” 

Language  fails  to  describe  the  beauties  of  Im¬ 
manuel’s  land,  and  the  human  mind  to  conceive 
its  blessedness.  “  All  the  glories  of  kingdoms, 
all  the  beauties  of  gardens,  all  the  splendor  of 
palaces,  yea  all  the  riches  of  creation,  form  but 
a  faint  sketch  of  the  sublime  original.”  We 
cannot  know  wdrat  heaven  really  is  until  we  en¬ 
ter  into  “the  holy  place”  and  sit  down  under 
the  shadow  of  the  tree  of  life  in  the  midst  of 
the  Paradise  of  God.  Then  shall  we  see  in  the 


420 


IMMANC3L S  LAND. 


light  of  glory  that  it  is  a  happy  region— -a  happy 
home  indeed. 

Heaven  is  a  holy  place  where  the  King,  eter¬ 
nal,  immortal,  invisible,  the  only  wise  God,  un¬ 
veils  his  glorious  perfections  in  full  effulgence. 
In  that  blessed  place,  the  Lamb  of  God,  the 
Saviour  of  sinners,  dwells  in  his  glorified  hu¬ 
manity.  There  triumphant  saints  are  gathered 
home  to  Christ.  There  they  are  made  pillars  in 
the  temple  of  God  and  go  no  more  out.  There 
the  host  of  heaven  dwell  in  the  blissful  presence 
of  the  King  of  glory. 

This  blessed  place  should  attract  us.  We 
should  look  beyond  this  fleeting  world.  We 
should  endeavor  to  raise  our  eyes  to  Canaan’s 
happy  shores,  and  obtain  a  glimpse  of  those 
everlasting  hills  whence  cometh  our  help. 

Let  the  Christian  ascend  the  mount  of  medi¬ 
tation,  and,  by  the  help  of  God’s  word,  survey 
those  fair  regions  which  lie  beyond  the  Jordan 
of  death. 

My  soul,  on  Pisgah’s  mount  ascend, 

Where  Moses  once  admiring  stood; 

There  view  the  promised  land  extend 

Beyond  the  swelling  Jordan’s  flood. 

* 

'  By  faith  survey  the  landscape  o’er, 

Where  living  waters  gently  flow; 

Till  earth  usurp  thy  love  no  more ; 

Till  all  thy  kindling  passions  glow.” 


IMMANUELS  LAND. 


421 


What  glorious  prospects  are  presented  to  the 
Christian  pilgrim  when  he,  by  faith,  gazes  on 
the  heights  of  Mount  Zion  above !  There 
stands  the  New  Jerusalem — the  city  of  our 
God,  in  dazzling  glory.  Through  its  golden 
streets  the  river  of  life  rolls  its  bright  waters ; 
and  on  the  banks  of  that  crystal  stream,  grows 
luxuriantly  the  tree  of  life,  loaded  with  the 
richest  fruits.  To  those  fountains  of  immortal¬ 
ity  the  Lamb  conducts  his  white-robed  followers, 
and  in  tasting  of  joys  the  purest  and  noblest — 
in  feasting  on  the  banquet  of  redeeming  love, 
the  saints  spend  the  ages  of  glory. 

On  those  “  walls  of  jasper”  and  “  streets  of 
gold”  the  sunbeams  are  always  shining  ;  but  no 
earthly  sun  illuminates  the  celestial  city.  The 
glory  of  God  enlightens  it,  and  the  Lamb  is  the 
light  thertof.  Our  Heavenly  Father  is  there, 
and  his  glory  is  manifested  there.  Jesus,  our 
elder  Brother  is  there,  and  he  is  the  center  of 
heavenly  attraction — of  heavenly  glory. 

Heaven  is  a  chosen  spot — selected  by  Christ 
—prepared  from  the  foundation  of  the  world 
for  the  eternal  abode  of  the  righteous.  To  the 
cieirs  of  immortality,  Christ  will  at  last  pro¬ 
nounce  this  joyful  invitation :  “  Come,  ye  blessed 
of  my  Father,  inherit  the  kingdom  prepared  for 
you  from  the  foundation  of  the  world.” 

Thus  a  place  is  already  prepared  for  the  re- 
36 


422 


Immanuel’s  land. 


deemed — a  place  rendered  infinitely  attractive 
by  a  display  of  divine  pover,  wisdom,  good¬ 
ness,  and  love.  The  beauty  of  heaven  should 
attract  us.  It  is  a  place  of  perpetual  loveliness 
— a  kingdom  of  unfading  glory.  The  earthly 
Canaan  had  many  attractions;  but  what  was 
that  to  the  heavenly  ?  It  is  the  Canaan  above 
that  is  so  glorious.  It  is  that  “  pleasant  land — 
that  goodly  heritage”  which  stretches  beyond 
the  swellings  of  Jordan,  that  is  so  attractive  to 
the  Christian. 

Every  child  of  God  longs  to  reach  those 
bright  shores  of  a  purer  clime,  where  everlast¬ 
ing  glory  bursts  upon  the  weary  pilgrim. 

Eespecting  the  earthly  Canaan,  Moses’  prayer 
was ; — “  I  pray  thee,  let  me  go  over  and  see  that 
good  land  that  is  beyond  Jordan,  that  goodly 
mountain,  and  Lebanon.”  How  much  more 
should  every  Christian  earnestly  strive  and  pray 
that  “  an  entrance  may  be  administered  unto 
him  abundantly  into  the  everlasting  kingdom 
of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.” 

The  earthly  Paradise  was  a  charming  spot, 
where  grew  every  tree  that  was  pleasant  to  the 
sight,  and  good  for  food — the  tree  of  life  also 
in  the  midst  of  the  garden  ;  and  whence  issued 
a  crystal  stream  to  water  the  lovely  region,  and 
to  fertilize  a  blooming  world.  How  delightful 
to  have  dwelt  in  ^uch  a  home  as  this  ;  but  Ira 


IMMANUEL’S  LAND.  423 


lnamiel's  land,  tlie  everlasting  home  jf  God’s 
children,  shines  far  more  glorious  than  ever 
shone  the  earthly  Paradise. 

How  consoling  to  think  that  every  child  of 
God  shall  finally  be  brought  to  that  celestial 
world,  to  gaze  with  wondering  eyes  on  its  un¬ 
told  glories !  What  gratitude  do  we  owe  to 
God  for  providing  such  an  inheritance  for  us. 
To  Him  we  should  continually  raise  our  hearts 
in  grateful  songs  of  praise.  We  should  call 
upon  our  souls  and  all  that  is  within  us  to  bless 
his  holy  name.  We  should  exclaim  with  the 
Apostle,  “Blessed  be  the  God  and  Father  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who,  according  to  his 
abundant  mercy  hath  begotten  us  again  unto  a 
lively  hope  by  the  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ 
from  the  dead ;  to  an  inheritance  incorruptible 
and  undefiled,  and  that  fadeth  not  away ;  re¬ 
served  in  heaven  for  you,  who  are  kept  by  the 
power  of  God  through  faith  unto  salvation, 
ready  to  be  revealed  in  the  last  time.” 

Under  many  pleasing  views,  heaven  is  attrac¬ 
tively  set  forth  by  the  sacred  writers.  To  accom¬ 
modate  their  descriptions  to  our  capacities  they 
adopt  various  emblems,  drawn  from  sublunary 
scenes.  These  figurative  expressions  but  faintly 
exhibit  the  glory  of  the  land  of  immortality. 
But  they  will  suffice  us  for  the  present.  In¬ 
deed,  in  our  r^esent  state  of  existence  we  could 


424 


IMMANUELS  LAND. 


not  possibly  bear  the  full  effulgence  of  that 
glory,  which  will  burst  upon  the  ransomed  soul 
when  mortality  is  swallowed  up  of  life. 

1.  Heaven  is  represented  as  a  country — “  a 
better  country.”  Of  the  Patriarchs  it  is  said 
that  they  “  sought  a  country that  they  “  de¬ 
sired  a  better  country,  that  is,  an  heavenly; 
wherefore  God  is  not  ashamed  to  be  called  their 
God;  for  he  hath  prepared  for  them  a  city.” 
Heaven  is  that  “pleasant  land”  to  which  till 
Christian  pilgrims  are  travelling.  We  are  now 
in  a  wilderness  world,  where  the  winds  of  ad¬ 
versity  blow  upon  us,  and  the  tempests  of  sor¬ 
row  sweep  along  our  pathway.  But  this  is  not 
our  home.  Our  march  is  heavenward — to  the 
glorious  land.  Guided  by  the  Captain  of  our 
salvation  we  are  coming  up  from  the  wilderness, 
and  our  feet  shall  soon  stand  on  the  glorious 
mount  of  God.  Our  conversation  is  in  heaven  ; 
our  future  inheritance  lies  there ;  we  are  look¬ 
ing  on  it  as  our  eternal  home.  Nd  wonder, 
then,  that  it  should  appear  so  attractive  in  our 
eyes.  No  wondef*  that  we  should  long  to  be¬ 
hold  the  good  land  which  is  afar  off.  All  true 
believers  desire  that  “better  country.”  They 
feel  that  they  are  strangers  and  pilgrims  here ; 
they  look  beyond  this  world  to  those  regions  of 
perpetual  delight  where  they  expect  to  spend 
countless  ages.  The  hope  of  salvation  animates 


425 


IMMANUEL5  S  LAND. 


them  in  every  earthly  trial,  and  the  promises 
of  God’s  word  elevate  their  view  above  a 
trumbling  world.  Their  hearts  overflow  with 
joy  unspeakable,  and  full  of  glory,  when  they 
are  assured  of  the  blessed  truth  that  their  eyes 
Bee  the  King  of  heaven  in  his  beauty,  and  the 
celestial  Canaan  in  its  glory. 

Heaven  is  a  promised  land.  “We  are  jour¬ 
neying  unto  the  place  of  which  the  Lord,  said,  I 
will  give  you.”  God’s  word  is  true.  Every 
saint  that  has  lived  on  earth  shall  be  brought  to 
this  heavenly  world,  where  Jesus  reigns  in  all 
his  glory.  Cheer  up,  then,  ye  drooping  saints. 
View  that  happy  world  where  .your  Saviour 
reigns,  and  where  you,  also,  are  shortly  to  reign 
with  him. 

2.  Heaven  is  described  as  a  glorious  city — a 
city  that  hath  foundations,  whose  builder  and 
maker  is  God.  But  who  can  perfectly  paint  the 
splendor  of  that  city,  whose  light  is  the  glory  of 
God?  ^‘Beautiful  for  situation,  the  joy  of  the 
whole  earth  is  Mount  Zion.” 

Where  will  you  begin  to  enumerate  the  at¬ 
tractions  of  that  celestial  city — the  abode  of  the 
redeemed  ?  “  Glorious  things  are  spoken  of 

thee,  0  city  of  God.”  We  can  gain  but  a  glimpse 
of  its  glories  now,  in  the  light  of  God’s  word ; 
but  they  will  be  seen  and  told  through  all  eter¬ 
nity.  With  the  eye  of  faith  let  us  now  view 
36* 


426 


hmanuel’s  land 


the  city  of  our  God — the  New  Jerusalem,  set 
on  Zion’s  holy  hill.  How  dazzling  does  it  ap¬ 
pear.  Its  walls  of  jasper — its  gates  of  pearls — • 
its  streets  of  gold — the  city  itself  “  of  pure  gold 
like  unto  clear  glass.” 

“  Lo !  yonder,  rising  on  the  eye, 

Built  on  eternal  mountains  high, 

The  city  of  the  mighty  God, 

Where  men  redeem’d  have  their  abode. 

“  See,  how  the  many-color’d  rays 
Of  burnish’d  gold,  and  jewels  blaze ; 

Which,  sweeter  far  than  earthly  morn, 

The  gates,  and  walls,  and  tow’rs  adorn. 

“  How  broad  and  pure  the  golden  street, 

Where  crowding  saints  and  angels  meet! 

No  lattice  there,  but  full,  and  bright, 

And  near,  the  uncreated  light. 

*  The  glory  of  the  God  of  grace, 

Refulgent  in  the  Saviour’s  face  ; 

In  mild,  but  awful  splendor  shown, 

Upon  the  highest,  brightest  throne. 

“  Nor  circling  sun  illumes  the  day, 

Nor  changeful  moon-beams  nightly  play; 

No  sublunary  joys  impart 

Their  pleasure  to  the  Christian’s  heart. 

“He  needs  them  not: — Shechinah  pours 
A  flood  of  light  from  all  his  stores  ; 

There,  in  the  blaze  of  endless  day, 

The  puj  chas’d  nations  gladly  stray  * 


IMMANUEL’S  1  AND. 


427 


When  the  splendor  of  11  that  great  city,  the 
holy  Jerusalem,”  was  manifested  to  the  beloved 
John,  rapt  in  heavenly  vision  on  the  isle  of 
Patmos,  he  describes  it  as  “  having  the  glory  of 
God :  and  her  light  was  like  into  a  stone  most 
precious,  even  like  a  jasper  stone,  clear  as  crys¬ 
tal.  And  the  building  of  the  wall  of  it  was  of 
jasper;  and  the  city  was  pure  gold,  like  unto 
clear  glass.  And  the  twelve  gates  were  twelve 
pearls ;  every  several  gate  was  of  one  pearl : 
and  the  street  of  the  city  was  pure  gold,  as  it 
were  transparent  glass.”  How  brightly  shines 
the  heavenly  Jerusalem,  irradiated  by  the  glory 
of  God !  Ho  city  on  earth  ever  shone  like  this. 
Palmyra,  Nineveh,  and  Babylon,  11  the  glory  of 
kingdoms,”  were  once  splendid  cities  ;  but  that 
City  of  Light,  whose  foundations  were  laid  be¬ 
fore  earth  rose  from  chaos ;  whose  builder  and 
maker  is  God  himself,  far  outshines  them  all  in 
unutterable  splendor.  Yes,  and  when  all  earthly 
cities  shall  have  been  buried  in  everlasting  ruin 
— when  a  terrestrial  globe  shall  have  passed 
away  in  one  awful  conflagration,  the  celestial 
city  of  Zion  shall  shine  in  eternal  glory,  while 
ransomed  sinners  walk  in  golden  streets. 

Let  the  Christian  pilgrim  who  has  set  out 
from  the  city  of  Destruction  xo  the  city  of  Im¬ 
manuel,  often  contemplate  his  glorious  home. 
Attracted  by  its  g"ory,  let  him  look  into  it,  and 


428 


IMMANUEL  S  LAND. 


long  to  be  among  its  shining  inhabitants,  who 
sound  on  golden  harps  the  praises  of  redeeming 
love.  Standing  at  the  gates  of  the  celestial  city, 
let  him  gaze,  with  Bunyan,  on  its  splendor,  as 
those  pearly  gates  are  opened  wide  to  admit  the 
transfigured  pilgrims.  “Now  just  as  the  gates 
were  opened  to  let  in  the  men,  I  looked  in  after 
them,  and  behold  the  city  shone  like  the  sun ; 
the  streets,  also,  were  paved  with  gold,  and  in 
them  walked  many  men  with  crowns  on  their 
heads,  palms  in  their  hands,  and  golden  harps 
to  sing  praises  withal.  There  were,  also,  of 
them  that  had  wings ;  and  they  answered  one 
another  without  intermission,  saying,  Holy,  holy, 
holy  is  the  Lord.  And  after  that,  they  shut  up 
the  gates ;  which,  when  I  had  seen,  I  wished 
myself  among  them.” 

Of  that  city  of  glory,  John  declares  :  “I  saw 
no  temple  therein  :  for  the  Lord  God  Almighty 
and  the  Lamb  are  the  temple  of  it.”  Theie  was 
a  temple  in  the  earthly  Jerusalem,  but  there  is 
none  in  the  heavenly.  Nor  is  any  required 
there.  Sweet,  intimate  communion  with  God 
and  the  Lamb  will  be  enjoyed  there  without  a 
medium.  The  glorious  manifestation  of  the  di¬ 
vine  presence  will  forever  dispense  with  the  use 
of  all  means  of  communication  between  God  and 
his  people.  Here  we  worship  Him  in  earthly 
temples,  by  the  means  which  he  has  appointed ; 


IMMANUELS  LAND. 


429 


but  there,  we  shall  dwell  in  his  immediate  pres¬ 
ence,  and  drink  at  the  Fountain  of  Life. 

The  celestial  city  is  so  gloriously  illuminated 
by  the  effulgence  of  the  Deity  that  j.t  has  no  need 
of  a  natural  luminary  to  shine  in  it.  “  And  the 
city  had  no  need  of  the  sun,  neither  of  the  moon, 
to  shine  in  it ;  for  the  glory  of  God  did  lighten 
it,  and  the  lamb  is  the  light  thereof.”  The  di¬ 
vine  presence  sheds  such  a  radiance  there  that 
it  lights  up  all  heaven  in  everlasting  glory. 
Jesus,  the  Sun  of  Righteousness,  shines  there ; 
and  in  his  light  we  shall  see  light.  Truly  light 
is  sweet,  and  a  pleasant  thing  it  is  for  the  eyes 
to  behold  the  sun ;  but  no  light  is  so  sweet 
as  this,  and  no  sun  so  pleasant  to  behold'  as  the 
Sun  of  Righteousness  shining  in  his  meridian 
splendor. 

In  that  celestial  city,  there  shall  be  no  night. 
Eternal  day  beams  with  unclouded  splendor  in 
the  city  of  Immanuel.  No  natural  or  moral 
darkness  shall  ever  overspread  the  landscape  of 
glory.  11  Thy  sun  shall  no  more  go  down,  nei¬ 
ther  shall  thy  moon  withdraw  itself ;  for  the 
Lord  shall  be  thine  everlasting  light,  and  the 
days  of  thy  mourning  shall  be  ended.” 

Hasten  on,  0  sweet  day,  when  thy  glories 
shall  dawn  upon  my  longmg  soul. 


430 


immanuel’s  land. 


Eternal  day  arise  and  shine  ; 

Thy  floods  of  glory  roll, 

With  all  these  holy  joys  of  thine 
Upon  tny  weary  soul. 

Tlien  shall  I  dwell  in  the  light  of  God’s  coun¬ 
tenance,  behold  the  beauties  of  his  face,  and 
worship  him  forever  and  ever. 

But  look  again  at  that  celestial  city.  Eman¬ 
ating  from  God’s  eternal  throne,  the  river  of  life 
flows  through  its  midst.  “  And  he  showed  me 
a  pure  river  of  the  water  of  life,  clear  as  crystal, 
proceeding  out  of  the  throne  of  God  and  the 
Lamb.”  The  heavenly  Jerusalem  is  enriched 
with  “  the  river  of  God,  which  is  full  of  water.” 
This  is  the  stream  that  makes  Immanuel's  land 
to  bloom  with  immortal  joys.  This  is  the  river 
of  pleasure — the  river,  whose  streams  shall  make 
glad  the  city  of  God,  the  holy  place  of  the  taber¬ 
nacle  of  the  most  High.”  There,  the  inhabit¬ 
ants  of  Zion  may  bathe  in  the  pure  fountains  of 
immortality  “fast  by  the  throne  of  God,”  and 
drink  freely  of  those  swelling  streams  of  purest 
joy  which  flow  through  the  realms  of  glory. 


Through  verdant  vales  and  flow’ry  meads, 
His  streams  the  crystal  river  leads  ; 

From  life’s  eternal  throne  it  strays, 

And  swelling  tides  of  joy  conveys. 


In  the  city  of  our  God  is  the  tree  of  life,  of 


Immanuel’s  land. 


431 


whose  delicious  fruit  the  saints  eat,  and  under 
whose  ambrosial  bowers,  they  dwell  in  eternal 
repose,  and  celestial  bliss.  “  In  the  midst  of  the 
gtreet  of  it,  and  on  either  side  of  the  river,  was 
there  the  tree  of  life,  which  bare  twelve  manner 
of  fruits,  and  yielded  her  fruit  every  month ; 
and  the  leaves  of  the  tree  were  for  the  healing 
of  the  nations.” 

There  is  much  in  the  heavenly  Jerusalem  to 
attract  you — many  crowns  of  glory — many  man¬ 
sions  of  bliss — many  songs  of  praise — much  that 
the  eye  has  never  seen,  the  ear  never  heard,  nor 
the  human  mind  never  conceived.  Strive,  then, 
to  obtain  an  interest  in  Jesus,  that  you  may 
“  Lave  right  to  the  tree  of  life,  and  may  enter  in 
through  the  gates  into  the  city.”  How  cheering 
is  the  promise  of  the  Saviour; — “To  him  that 
overcometh  will  I  give  to  eat  of  the  tree  of  life, 
which  is  in  the  midst  of  the  Paradise  of  God  !” 
Then  fight  the  good  fight  of  faith,  lay  hold  on 
eternal  life,  and  you  will  come  off  more  than  a 
conqueror  through  Him  that  loved  you  and 
gave  himself  for  you. 

3.  Heaven  is  represented  as  a  glorious  build¬ 
ing — the  building  of  God — the  future  happy 
home  of  the  Christian.  “  For  we  know,”  says 
the  Apostle,  “that  if  our  earthly  house  of  this 
tabernacle  were  dissolved,  we  have  a  building 
of  God  an  house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal 


432 


IMMANUEL'S  LAND. 


in  the  heavens.”  Confident  of  reaching  this 
blessed  home,  the  believer  is  enabled  to  exclaim 
with  the  Psalmist,  “Surely,  goodness  and  mercy 
shall  follow  me  all  the  days  of  my  life ;  and  I 
will  dwell  in  the  house  of  the  Lord  forever.” 
Heaven  is  the  eternal  Father’s  house,  in  which 
are  many  mansions — the  home  of  the  redeemed, 
where  congregated  nations  sing  the  song  of 
Moses  and  the  Lamb. 

When  Christ  would  comfort  his  sorrowful 
disciples,  he  sets  forth  heaven  under  the  endear¬ 
ing  emblem*  of  a  home  —  a  Father’s  house, 
adorned  with  many  spacious  mansions.  “In 
my  Father’s  house,”  says  the  Saviour,  “are 
many  mansions;  if  it  were  not  so,  I  would 
have  told  you.” 

There  is  something  peculiarly  attractive  m 
tnis  description  of  heaven.  How  sweet  is  even 
an  oarthly  home,  but  how  endeared  will  be  that 
home  above,  where  we  shall  meet  with  our 
Heavenly  Father — with  our  elder  Brother — 
with  our  dear  Christian  friends,  who  went  to 
glory  before  us — with  the  whole  household  of 
faith !  In  that  house  not  made  with  hands, 
there  are  “  many  mansions”  for  our  entertain¬ 
ment.  There  is  ample  room  and  provision  for 
all  God’s  children  in  the  upper  sanctuary — 
every  thing  tc  render  them  happy,  unspeak¬ 
ably  happy  to  all  eternity. 


IMMANUEL’S  LAND.  488 


May  tlie  reader  so  live  in  the  faith  of  the 
gospel,  that  when  his  clayey  tabernacle  is  ready 
to  crumble  into  dust,  his  immortal  spirit,  guided 
by  the  angels  of  God,  may  take  its  joyful  flight 
to  the  mansions  of  glory,  and  dwell  forever  in 
those  realms  of  bliss, — 

“  Where  beauty  smiles  eternally, 

And  pleasure  never  dioe.” 

87 


\ 


\ 


48* 


IMMANUEL'S  LAND 


CHAPTER  II. 

-  v  ~  >  N 

THE  BLESSEDNESS. 

Blessed  are  the  pure  in  heart,  for  they  shall  see  God.” — • 
Matt  y.  8. 

“At  thy  right  hand  there  are  pleasures  for  evermore." 
— Ps.  xvi.  1. 

“  In  those  blest  regions  ot  delight, 

Where  Jesus  is  unveil’d  to  sight, 

No  mortal  tongue  can  e’er  express 
The  ransom’d  sinner’s  blessedness.” 

The  blessedness  of  heaven  is  a  powerful  at¬ 
traction  to  draw  souls  to  it.  And  it  is  presented 
in  all  its  charms  in  the  world  of  God — presented 
to  you — to  me.  Then  let  us  seek  it.  If  we  are 
true  believers  in  Jesus,  we  shall  soon  enjoy  all 
that  unspeakable  blessedness  which  the  Bible 
nowprese  nts  to  the  Christian’s  view.  The  bless¬ 
edness  of  the  redeemed  in  glory  will  consist  in 
the  exemption  from  all  evil,  and  in  the  enjoy¬ 
ment  of  all  good.  There  will  be  nothing  to 
hurt  or  destroy  in  all  God’s  holy  mountain. 
All  will  be  blessed  there  in  the  possession  of  the 
greatest  good.  Every  enjoyment  in  heaven, 
will  consp're  to  increase  and  perpetuate  the  bless- 


IMMANUEL'S  LAND.  435 


edness  of  the  saints  in.  light.  Those  happy 
souls  whose  robes  have  been  washed  white  in 
the  blood  of  Immanuel,  and  who  are  presented 
faultless  before  the  throne  of  God,  u  shall  hunger 
no  more,  neither  thirst  any  more ;  neither  shall 
the  sun  light  on  them,  nor  any  heat.  For  the 
Lamb  which  is  in  the  midst  of  the  throne  shall 
feed  them,  and  shall  lead  them  unto  living  foun¬ 
tains  of  waters;  and  God  shall  wipe  away  all 
tears  from  their  eyes.” 

The  redeemed  in  glory  shall  be  placed  far 
above  the  reach  of  a  sinful  world,  and  shall 
dwell  securely  in  heavenly  bliss.  There,  they 
shall  flourish  in  our  God’s  holy  place.  There, 
they  shall  be  crowned  with  blessedness,  and 
glory  and  immortality.  How  attractive  does 
the  blessedness  of  heaven  appear,  as  presented 
in  the  Holy  Scriptures !  No  heart  can  conceive 
it— 7-110  tongue  can  express  it.  It  is.  a  boundless 
ocean  of  eternal  delights.  Here,  the  Christian 
tastes  but  drops  from  the  ocean  above ;  but  soon 
he  shall  stand  on  the  “  crystal  sea  of  glass”  be¬ 
fore  the  throne,  and  drink  endless  pleasures  in. 

Blessed  Jesus!  Prepare  us  all  for  serving 
thee  in  mansions  above — for  participating  in 
those  joys  which  are  in  thy  presence — in  those 
pleasures  which  are  at  thy  right  hand  forever. 
“  In  thy  presence  is  fulness  of  joy ;  at  thy  right 
hand  there  are  pleasures  for  evermore.” 


436  Immanuel’s  land. 


In  attempting  to  speak  of  the  blessedness  of 
heaven,  we  may,  in  the  first  place,  conceive  of  it 
negatively.  “  Not  only  what  is  in  heaven  should 
attract  us  to  it,  but  what  is  hot  there.”*  And 
do  you  ask  what  is  not  there?  We  answer, 
there  is  no  sin — no  sorrow — no  tears — no  pain — 
no  disease — no  death,  in  heaven. 

1.  No  sin  there.  It  reigns  in  this  world ;  but 
in  heaven  its  very  existence  will  be  eradicated. 
There  the  children  of  God  shall  never  complain 
of  a  body  of  sin  and  death.  Those  immortal 
forms  that  surround  the  throne  of  God  are  all 
sinless  beings,  Sin  will  never  shed  its  baneful 
influence  in  the  Paradise  above.  Satan  can  find 
no  admittance  ther^.  None  of  his  fiery  darts 
will  be  cast  in  glory. 

2.  No  sorrow  there.  In  heaven  there  will  be 
no  more  “  sorrow.”  It  is  here — within  us — all 
around  us.  Who  has  not  felt  the  withering 
touch  of  sorrow  ?  This  is  a  world  of  sorrow. 
Here,  one  wave  of  trouble  after  another  sweeps 
over  us  until  we  close  our  eyes  in  death.  “  In 
the  world,”  says  the  Saviour,  “ye  shall  have 
tribulation.”  It  is  expressly  declared,  that  “  we 
must  through  much  tribulation  enter  into  the 
kingdom  of  God.”  How  often  have  we  tasted 
this  bitter  fruit  of  sin!  How  often  have  our 

*  Neviiis 


i  a  manuel’s  land. 


437 


hopes  been  blasted ;  our  expectations  disap¬ 
pointed!  How  often  have  we  been  called  to 
mourn  the  loss  of  near  and  dear  relatives !  Here 
our  hearts  are  almost  constantly  filled  with 
some  kind  of  sorrow.  But,  dear  fellow-pilgrim, 
cheer  up.  There  lies  a  bright  prospect  before 
us.  Has  ^not  your  e}re  caught  a  glimpse  of 
yonder  golden  plains  beyond  the  grave,  where 
no  sorrow  ever  comes,  and  where  you  hope  to 
dwell  with  Jesus,  in  endless  glory  ?  Then  go 
on  your  way  rejoicing  in  tribulation.  Heaven 
will  make  amends  for  all  your  momentary  sor¬ 
row  here.  You  will  soon  forget  all  sublunary 
grief  in  that  land  of  blessedness,  where  sorrow 
is  no  more. 

3.  Ho  tears  there.  “  God  shall  wipe  away  all 
tears  from  their  eyes.”  No  expression  of  grief 
is  there — no  “crying” — no  mourning.  There 
“sorrow  and  mourning  shall  flee  away.”  Hap¬ 
py  world,  where  all  the  redeemed  are,  with 
cheerful  countenances,  rejoicing  in  God  their 
Saviour!  There  no  tears  bedew  the  cheek. 
What  a  striking  contrast  is  there  between  hea¬ 
ven  and  earth  in  this  respect.  This  world,  with 
all  its  fancied  happiness,  is  nothing  in  reality 
but  a  vale  of  tears ;  and  you  have  not  to  live 
many  years  before  you  experience  the  sad  truth 

of  this.  Here  sin  has  entered,  and  sorrow  has 

/ 

entered,  and  fears  flow  but  in  the  celestial  Je- 
37* 


438 


IMMANUELS  LAND. 


rusalem  “the  voice  of  weeping  shall  be  no 
more  heard,  nor  the  voice  of  crying.”  There, 
dear  Christian,  “  thou  shalt  weep  no  more ;  the 
days  of  thy  mourning  shall  be  ended.”  Here 
the  people  of  God  are  called  to  shed  many  tears. 
“  Thou  feedest  them  with  the  bread  of  tears,  and 
givest  them  tears  to  drink  in  great  measure.” 
How  consoling,  in  such  a  vale  of  tears  as  this, 
to  think  of  heaven !  How  attractive  does  that 
joyful  land  appear  to  the  mourning  Christian! 
He  knows  that  God  will  there  gently  wipe  away 
all  his  tears.  The  tears  of  the  righteous  will 
soon  cease  to  flow.  In  a  little  while  “  the  Lord 
God  will  wipe  away  tears  from  off  all  faces.”  0, 
what  a  happy  thought,  to  think  that  it  is  God 
himself  who  will  wipe  away  every  tear  of  sor¬ 
row  in  glory !  Surely  the  Christian  ought  to 
rejoice  now. 

4.  In  heaven  there  will  be  no  pain  nor  dis 
ease.  “Neither  shall  there  be  any  more  pain; 
for  the  former  things  are  passed  away.”  Of  that 
celestial  world,  “  the  inhabitants  shall  not  say,  I 
am  sick.”  Pain  and  disease  ravage  this  fallen 
world.  “  The  whole  creation  groaneth  and 
travaileth  in  pain  together.”  Here  even  the 
righteous  “is  chastened  also  with  pain  upon  his 
bed,  and  the  multitude  of  his  bones  with  strong 
pain ;”  but  there  God  will  remove  from  him  all 
pain  and  sickness  forever.  Here  the  children 


IMMANUE.  S  LAND. 


439 


of  Ged  are  often  laid  on  beds  of  afiketk  n,  and 
“wearisome  nights  are  appointed  nnto  them;” 
there  blooming  health  shall  cheer  their  souls, 
and  they  shall  experience  pain  and  disease  no 
more.  What  a  great  blessing  to  be  eternally 
free  from  all  pain  and  sickness !  To  the  sons 
and  daughters  of  affliction  how  attractive  should 
that’  world  appear,  where  a  kind  Heavenly 
Physician  not  only  wipes  away  every  tear,  but 
heals  all  diseases  and  frees  from  all  pain !  “  Bless 
the  Lord,  0  my  soul,  and  forget  not  all  his 
benefits :  who  forgiveth  all  thine  iniquities ; 
who  healeth  all  thy  diseases  I” 

5.  Heaven  is  a  land  of  immortality.  Jesus 
Christ  hath  abolished  death,  and  brought  life 
and  immortality  to  light  through  the  gospel. 
In  those  happy  regions  beyond  Jordan’s  stream 
there  is  no  death.  “And  there  shall  be  no 
more  death.”  Immortal  life  will  be  enjoyed  by 
all  the  blessed  inhabitants  of  Immanuel’s  land. 
How  animating  in  a  dying  world  like  this,  to 
think  of  a  glorious  immortality !  How  unlike 
this  land  of  death  is  heaven!  There  all  is 
blooming  immortality.  Here,  in  the  midst  of 
life  we  are  in  death ;  we  are  surrounded  with 
the  dying  and  the  dead ,  thousands  fall  within 
our  view.  The  young,  the  beautiful  and  the 
vigorous,  are  not  exempted  from  the  painful 
stroke  of  the  king  of  terrors.  There  death  it- 


m 


Immanuel’s  land. 


self  is  swallowed  up  in  victory.  Here  the  dear* 
est  ties  that  bind  us  to  earth  are  cut  asunder. 
Death  does  not  even  spare  our  nearest  and  dear 
est  relatives.  His  icy  hand  is  often  stretched 
over  the  face  of  a  beloved  wife — an  affectionate 
husband — a  smiling  babe — a  tender  son  or 
daughter — a  loving  sister  or  brother — a  dear 
parent.  But  in  heaven,  death  shall  strike  its 
darts  no  more.  How  reviving  to  the  Christian 
who  is  mourning  the  loss  of  pious  relatives,  to 
think  that  in  those  joyful  regions  of  bliss,  he 
shall  meet  his  dear  departed  friends  who  now  * 
sleep  in  Jesus.  Then  shall  we  ever  be  with 
the  Lord  in  his  temple  of  glory,  where  parting 
is  no  more,  and  where  there  is  no  more  painful 
separation  of  kindred  souls  in  death. 

Let  the  mourning  Christian  take  comfort 
from  this  blessed  hope.  The  last  enemy  will 
soon  be  destroyed.  God  is  just  ready  to  say  of 
his  people,  “  I  will  ransom  them  from  the  power 
of  the  grave ;  I  will  redeem  them  from  death 
and  of  death,  “0  death,  I  will  be  thy  plague  I 
O  grave,  I  will  be  thy  destruction!”  “This 
corruptible  must  ”  soon  “  put  on  incorruption, 
and  this  mortal  must  put  on  immortality  :  then 
shall  be  brought  to  pass  the  saying  that  is  writ¬ 
ten,  Death  is  swallowed  up  in  victory.”  As 
we  enter  the  portals  of  glory  and  place  our  feet 
oi.  the  blessed  shores  o "  immortal'ty,  we  may 


Immanuel’s  land.  441 


triumphantly  exclaim,  “ 0  death,  where  is  thy 
sting !  0  grave,  where  is  thy  victory  1”  “And 
there  shall  be  no  more  death.” 

We  come  now  to  notice  the  positive  blessed¬ 
ness  of  heaven.  And  wThat  is  there  that  is  so 
attractive?  In  heaven,  there  is  not  only  the 
absence  of  all  evil,  but  the  actual  enjoyment  of 
the  highest  good — of  blessedness  unspeakable. 
There  is  the  tree  of  life  in  the  midst  of  the 
Paradise — the  hidden  manna — fulness  of  joy — 
rivers  of  pleasures — crowns  of  glory  that  fade 
not  away — eternal  life — society  the  most  pure, 
perfect  and  lovely — sweet  communion  with  God 
— the  glorious  presence  of  the  blessed  Saviour. 
And  this  is  enough — enough  to  satisfy  the  most 
capacious  desire. 

What  heart  can  conceive,  or  what  tongue  can 
describe,  the  blessedness  contained  in  this  single 
verse  of  Scripture :  “  Therefore  are  they  before 
the  throne  of  God,  and  serve  him  day  and 
night  in  his  temple :  and  he  that  sitteth  on  the 
throne  shall  dwell  among  them.”  This  blessed¬ 
ness  awaits  all  the  children  of  God.  Happy 
thought !  In  heaven  the  saints  will  be  perfectly 
blessed,  in  the  full  enjoyment  of  God  through 
all  eternity.  The  eternal  God  will  be  the  inex¬ 
haustible  source  of  all  their  blessedness.  From 
the  fountain  of  Infinite  Love  they  will  derive 
the  purest  bliss  In  the  ocean  of  divine  blessed- 


442 


IMMANUEL’S  LAND. 


ness  and  glory,  they  shall  bathe  forever  and  ever, 
The  blessed  less  of  the  saints  will  be  derived 
directly  from  God,  the  fountain  of  all  goodness. 
He  will  supply  the  wants  of  all  his  people.  He 
will  crown  their  heads  with  immortal  bliss. 
What  blessedness  must  fill  the  ransomed  soul 
when  it  is  brought  to  dwell  in  the  presence  of 
Him,  “  who  only  hath  immortality,  dwelling  in 
that  light  which  no  man  can  approach  unto; 
whom  no  man  hath  seen,  nor  can  see :  to  whom 
be  honor  and  power  everlasting.  Amen.”  0,  to 
bask  in  the  full  beams  of  His  light,  whose  glory 
kindles  up  the  realms  above  in  inconceivable 
splendor  I  What  must  those  blessings  be  which 
a  God  of  love  will  confer  upon  his  blood-bought 
flock !  How  innumerable,  how  invaluable,  how 
soul-ravishing  will  they  be  I  In  heaven,  the 
blessedness  of  the  saints  will  flow  in  an  eternal 
stream  from  God,  their  Saviour.  There,  every 
soul  will  be  filled  with  all  the  fulness  of  God. 
0,  what  rivers  of  blessedness  will  flow  from 
the  Eternal  Fountain ! 

The  redeemed  will  enjoy  all  that  unspeakable 
blessedness,  arising  from  a  display  of  the  divine 
glory — from  sweet,  unrestrained  intercourse 
with  God — from  the  manifestation  of  a  Sav¬ 
iour’s  love — from  the  enjoyment  of  that  love 
through  eternity.  What  more  does  an  immor¬ 
tal  soul  d:s:re — wha  more  can  it  enjoy  ? 


IMMANUEL’S  LAND. 


443 


This  single  attraction,  the  enjoyment  of  God 
in  Christ  through  a  blessed  eternity,  should  draw 
every  soul  to  glory.  Such  a  blessedness,  eternity 
alone  can  unfold.  This  blessing  will  enrich 
your  soul  to  all  eternity. 

If  you  have  found  the  11  pearl  of  great  price,” 
all  the  bliss  of  heaven  will  be  yours — the  pleas¬ 
ures  at  God’s  right  hand — fulness  of  joy  in  his 
presence — a  right  to  the  tree  of  life ;  in  a  word, 
the  inheritance  of  all  things.  “  He  that  over- 
cometli  shall  inherit  all  things;  and  I  will  be 
his  God,  and  he  shall  be  my  son.”  “  All  things 
are  yours ;  whether  Paul,  or  Apollos,  or  Cephas, 
or  the  world,  or  life,  or  death,  or  things  present, 
or  things  to  come;  all  are  yours,  and  ye  are 
Christ’s,  and  Christ  is  God’s.” 

Blessed  with  the  presence  of  Christ,  the  saints 
shall  enjoy  that  glorious  rest  which  remained 
for  them.  "Wearing  the  crowns  of  glory  which 
a  Saviour’s  love  placed  upon  their  brow,  they 
shall  participate  in  the  ecstatic  joys  of  heaven. 
They  shall  eat  of  the  tree  of  life,  which  is  in 
the  midst  of  the  Paradise  of  God.  Yes, 

The  tree  of  life  shall  bless  their  sight, 

With  golden  fruit  their  taste  delight  • 

Beneath  its  green  and  spreading  boughs, 

The  harp  shall  lull  them  to  repose ; 

And  in  seraphic  pleasures  deep, 

Their  powerful  senses  ever  steep. 


I  „ 


444 


Immanuel’s  land. 


They  shall  eat  of  the  hidden  manna,  and  re¬ 
ceive  a  white  stone ;  and  in  the  stone  a  new 
name  written,  which  no  man  knoweth,  saving 
he  that  receiveth  it.  They  shall  be  clothed  with 
white  raiment,  and  their  names  shall  not  be 
blotted  out  of  the  book  of  life.  They  will  en¬ 
compass  the  throne  of  God  with  everlasting 
songs  of  praise ;  they  shall  even  sit  with  Christ 
on  his  throne.  “  To  him  that  overcometh  will 
I  grant  to  sit  with  me  in  my  throne,  even  as  I 
also  overcame,  and  am  set  down  with  my  Father 
in  his  throne.” 

The  Lamb  in  the  midst  of  the  throne,  is 
the  immediate  source  of  heaven’s  blessedness. 
Christ  will  ever  remain  the  glorious  Head  of 
his  living  member^ — his  mystical  body,  the 
church.  He  will  supply  their  every  want.  He 
will  provide  for  them  rich  blessings — the  ines¬ 
timable  blessings  of  eternal  salvation.  “  They 
shall  feed  in  the  ways,  and  their  pastures  shall 
be  in  all  high  places.  They  shall  not  hunger  or 
thirst ;  neither  shall  the  heat  nor  sun  smite 
them :  for  he  that  hath  mercy  on  them  shall 
lead  them,  even  by  the  springs  of  water  shall  he 
guide  them.” 

The  Lamb  not  only  feeds  them  with  heaven’s 
richest  fruits,  but  also  guides  them  to  fountains 
of  bliss — springs  of  living  water.  “  The  Lamb 
whic'h  is  in  the  midst  of  the  throne,  shall  feed 


•  --  --  . 


L4 


A 


imianuel's  land.  445 


them,  and  shall  lead  them  unto  liviug  fountains 
of  waters.”  Blessed  lot  of  the  righteous  I 
Happy  is  that  people,  that  is  in  such  a  case ;  yea, 
happy  is  that  people  whose  God  is  the  Lord! 
In  contemplating  such  blessedness,  well  may 
we  exclaim  with  the  inspired  Penman,  “  Happy 
art  thou,  0  Israel:  who  is  like  unto  thee,  0 
people,  saved  by  the  Lord,  the  shield  of  thy 
help,  and  who  is  the  sword  of  thy  excellency  ?” 

Heaven  is  a  place  of  eternal  blessedness.  No 
change  from  happiness  to  misery  is  experienced 
there.  None  of  the  vicissitudes  of  earth  shall 
be  there.  One  perpetual  scene  of  bliss  crowns 
all.  One  wide,  unbounded  field  of  expanding 
blessedness  spreads  away,  far  away  before  every 
soul  clad  in  glory. 

In  heaven,  there  will  be  an  eternal  progress¬ 
ion  in  knowledge  and  happiness.  Every  new 
discovery  of  the  ways  and  works  of  the  Al¬ 
mighty,  will  roll  new  tides  of  glory  and  blessed¬ 
ness  around  the  ransomed  soul.  0,  what  pow¬ 
erful  attractions  are  these !  Should  they  not 
draw  you  to  glory  ?  What  are  all  the  pleasures 
of  a  dying  world  compared  with  one  hour’s  en¬ 
joyment  of  heavenly  blessedness  ?  How  worth¬ 
less  !  May  you  possess  more  permanent  joys 
than  those  of  earth.  May  it  be  your  happiness 
to  reign  with  Christ  forever  and  ever.  May 
God  grant  that  every  reader  of  this  little  volume 
38 

•  \  -  v 


446 


Immanuel’s  land. 


may  be  brought  to  enjoy  that  blessedness  which 
is  reserved  for  the  righteous,  in  another  and  a 
better  world ;  and  to  his  glorious  name  be  ever¬ 
lasting  praise.  Amen. 


IMMANUEL’S  LAND. 


447 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE  JOT. 

"In  thy  presence  is  fulness  of  joy.” — Psalm  xvi.  II 

"There,  in  thy  blissful  presence,  reigns 
Immortal  joy  serene ; 

No  wintry  §torms  are  heard  to  roar, 

Nor  desolation  seen. 

Around  thee  flow  unmix’d  delights* 

Like  rivers  deep  and  wide  ; 

While  from  the  ocean  of  thy  love. 

Proceeds  an  endless  tide. 

\ 

“Thou  of  all  joy  the  centre  art ; 

Oh  1  never  from  my  soul  depart ; 

Blest  Jesus !  let  thy  saving  love, 

Like  dew,  drop  gently  from  above.” 

/  N 

When  the  Christian  has  passed  the  vale  of 
life,  and  done  with  mortal  care  and  grief,  the 
Saviour  will  welcome  him  home  to  glory  with 
this  joyful  invitation,  “Enter  thou  into  the  joy 
of  thy  Lord.”  Then  begins  the  heavenly  joy  of 
the  believer.  He  rests  with  Jesus;  he  enters 
into  the  joy  of  his  Lord.  And  what  is  this  joy  ? 
What  is  there  about  it  that  is  so  attractive  ?  It 
is  a  joj  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory  The 


448 


IMMANUEL'S  LAND. 


pen  cannot  describe  it,  nor  the  tongue  declare 
it.  It  is  the  joy  of  being  with  Christ — the  joy 
of  possessing  the  heavenly  inheritance — a  ful¬ 
ness  of  joy.  The  joy  of  heaven  is  full,  satisfying, 
and  eternal.  It  is  ecstatic  joy.  It  transports  the 
^ransomed  soul  with  ineffable  delights. 

This  joy  is  to  be  found  in  the  blissful  presence 
of  Christ.  Blessed  Jesus  !  Thou  art  the  source 
and  centre  of  heavenly  joy.  Enable  me  to  fix 
my  heart  upon  thee.  Bestow  upon  me,  thy  un¬ 
worthy  servant,  the  joys  of  thy  salvation.  Let 
me  not  wander  one  moment  from  the  path  of 
life.  Guide  me  safely  through  the  wilderness — 
over  Jordan — till,  landed  on  Canaan’s  happy 
shores,  I  see  thee  face  to  face,  and,  in  thy  pres¬ 
ence,  taste,  through  eternal  ages,  the  joys  of  a 
redeemed  soul. 

“In  thy  presence,”  cries  the  Psalmist,  “is 
fulness  of  joy.”  There  is  an  abundance  to  fill 
every  soul.  There  will  be  no  want  of  joy  in 
heaven.  The  saints  will  always  “  be  joyful  in 
glory.” 

How  ravishing  will  be  the  joys  of  the  re¬ 
deemed  in  the  mansions  of  glory  !  What  inef¬ 
fable  joy  will  fill  the  soul  of  the  believer,  when 
he  sits  down  with  Abraham,  Isaac  and  Jacob, 
in  the  kingdom  of  God — when  he  reigns  with 
Immanuel  on  his  throne — when  he  views  all 
heaven’s  bliss  as  his  Amidst  such  joys  as 


IMMANUELS  LAND. 


449 


these,  surely  his  enraptured  soui  must  be  lost  in 
wonder,  love,  and  praise. 

But  the  joy  of  the  glorified  saint  in  the  pres* 
ence  of  Christ  is  beyond  human  comprehension 
or  knowledge. 

“His joys  are  all  alike  unknown, 

As,  seated  on  Immanuel’s  throne, 

He  drinks  the  living  streams  of  bliss 
And  views  all  heaven’s  joys  as  his.” 

,  1 

Let  us  contemplate  the  joy  of  the  saint  who 
is  presented  faultless  before  the  presence  of  Cod. 
There  is  a  glorious  day  approaching,  when  “  the 
redeemed  of  the  Lord  shall  return,  and  come 
with  singing  unto  Zion ;  and  everlasting  joy 
shall  be  upon  their  heads ;  they  shall  obtain 
gladness  and  joy ;  and  sorrow  and  mourning 
shall  flee  away.”  Then  shall  ransomed  sinners 
begin  their  songs  of  joyfulness  in  the  celestial 
Zion.  Then  shall  all  their  tears  be  wiped  away, 
and  eternal  joy  and  gladness  fill  their  happy 
souls. 

There  are  three  sources  from  which  joy  will 
be  brought  to  the  saint  in  his  glorified  and  ex¬ 
alted  state ;  a  contemplation  of  the  past,  the 
present ,  and  the  future. 

1.  When  he  arrives  at  the  realms  of  glory 
and  looks  back  upon  his  past  sufferings,  how 
will  joy  arise  in  his  heart  W  th  pleasure  will 
38* 


450 


IMMANUEL’S  L  iND. 


he  contemplate  the  way  through  which  che  Lord 
has  led  him.  Now  he  sees  that  all  his  earthly 
trials,  and  afflictions,  and  sorrows,  and  tears  have 
come  to  an  end.  He  has  got  safely  over  the 
tempestuous  ocean  of  life  and  reached  the  bless¬ 
ed  haven  of  Immanuel’s  land.  This  reflection 
will  afford  him  unspeakable  joy.  He  views 
with  a  joyful  heart  all  the  former  dealings  of 
God  with  his  soul.  Though,  during  his  pil¬ 
grimage  on  earth,  he  was  often  ready  to  exclaim 
with  the  afflicted  Patriarch  when  contemplating 
the  providences  of  God  with  regard  to  himself, 
“  All  these  things  are  against  me  yet  now  he 
sees  that  “  all  things”  have  worked  together  for 
his  good.  In  heaven,  Christ  will  make  every 
thing  plain  to  the  believer.  “What  I  do  thou 
knowest  not  now,”  says  the  Saviour,  but  thou 
shalt  know  hereafter.”  The  blessed  “hereafter” 
has  come  when  the  Christian  will  know  why  so 
many  calamities  befel  him  on  earth ;  why  so 
many  afflictions  were  sent  upon  him,  why  so 
many  sorrows  were  strewed  around  his  pathway 
to  immortal  bliss.  All  was  fitting  him  for  glor}r. 
Every  trial,  every  affliction  was  lifting  him 
higher  towards  heaven.  Now,  that  he  has  reach¬ 
ed  the  blessed  shores  of  glory,  he  will  joyfully 
exclaim,  in  the  view  of  the  past,  “  0,  Lord,  thou 
hast  led  me  forth  by  the  right  way.” 

2.  Look  again  at  the  joy  of  the  saint  with 


immanuel’s  land.  451 


Christ  as  he  views  his  present  glorious  state. 
How  will  his  heart  overflow  with  seraphic  joy 
and  love,  when  he  sees  his  Redeemer,  who  is  to 
him  the  most  attractive  of  all  objects,  and  the 
blessed  source  of  his  joys  !  If,  not  having  seen, 
he  loves  him,  and  in  him,  though  now  he  sees 
him  not,  yet  believing,  he  rejoices  with  joy  un¬ 
speakable  and  full  of  glory,  what  will  be  the 
joy  when  he  shall  see  him  as  he  is,  face  to  face, 
in  the  heavenly  kingdom,  in  all  his  matchless 
beauty !  Of  this  joy  we  can  know  but  little.  It 
passeth  human  thought.  All  the  preciousness 
and  loveliness  of  the  Saviour  will  then  appear 
to  view.  This  will  fill  the  soul  with  unutter¬ 
able  joy.  The  enraptured  saint  will  be  enabled 
to  exclaim  without  fear  or  hesitation,  “My  Be¬ 
loved  is  mine  and  I  am  His;  He  is  the  chief 
among  ten  thousand  and  altogether  lovely.” 
The  presence  of  the  Saviour  will  be  a  source  of 
unspeakable  joy  to  the  Christian.  Nothing  will 
cause  the  heart  to  rejoice  more  than  this  blissful 
sight  of  a  glorified  Redeemer.  Christ  cheered 
his  sorrowful  disciples  with  this  blessed  hope. 
“  I  will  see  you  again,”  says  he,  “  and  your 
heart  shall  rejoice,  and  your  joy  no  man  taketh 
from  you.”  From  the  blessed  Jesus  will  ema¬ 
nate  swelling  streams  of  joy  to  refresh,  and  in¬ 
vigorate  the  people  of  God.  How  sweet  is  this 
thought  Has  heavenly  joy  any  attractions 


452 


immanuel’s  land. 


for  my  readers  ?  Is  not  this  single  considera¬ 
tion —  the  joy  arising  from  a  sight  of  Christ 
and  his  glory,  .sufficient  to  lead  them  to  inquire 
the  way  to  Zion  ?  What  more  powerful  at 
traction  could  present  itself,  to  allure  sinners  to 
glory?  But  there  are  innumerable  rivulets  of 
joy  that  issue  from  this  fountain.  The  pres¬ 
ence  and  society  of  the  glorious  Saviour  is  a 
boundless  ocean  of  joy;  while  the  enjoyment  of 
heavenly  bliss,  the  communion  with  saints  and 
angels,  are  the  streams  of  pleasure  that  are  lost 
in  this  fathomless  abyss.  As  the  saint  views  his 
present  condition,  ha  sees  that  it  is  one  of  per¬ 
fect  blessedness.  What  emotions  of  joy  must 
thrill  through  his  soul  when  he  sees  himself  en¬ 
circled  with  divine  glory ;  when  he  views  all  the 
present  bliss  of  heaven  as  his ;  when  he  is  made 
a  partaker  of  all  the  soul-ravishing  enjoyments 
and  delights  of  paradise  !  , 

3.  But  this  is  not  all.  As  he  views  the  future , 
one  perpetual  scene  of  blessedness  lies  before 
him.  Ages  of  glory  in  endless  succession,  in 
which  he  is  to  possess  fulness  of  joy  in  the  pres¬ 
ence  of  God,  roll  away  before  his  blissful  imagi¬ 
nation.  What  ineffable  joy  must  spring  up  in 
his  heart  as  he  contemplates  eternal  bliss!  He 
sees  before  him  an  ocean  of  glory  without  a 
shore,  and  without  a  storm.  An  'eteinitv  of 

'  %J 

glory  must  surely  fil  his  soul  with  inexpressible 


4  IMMANUEL7  3  LAND.  453 


joy.  With  the  greatest  delight  will  he  meditate 
on  eternity.  This  is  the  crowning  glory  of  the 
whole.  The  anticipation  of  the  future  will  af¬ 
ford  the  saint  present  felicity ;  and  as  he  sails 
over  the  boundless  ocean  he  will  rejoice  with 
joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory. 

Concerning  his  people,  a  God  of  infinite  love 
has  said,  “  Everlasting  joy  shall  be  unto  them.” 

The  joys  of  the  redeemed  in  glory  have  no 
end.  Those  happy  souls  before  the  throne  of 
God  fear  no  termination  to  their  heavenly  feli¬ 
city.  W ell  may  the  poet  exclaim  : — 

“  Could  you,  so  rich  in  rapture,  fear  an  end ; 

That  ghastly  thought  would  drink  up  all  your  joy, 
And  quite  unparadise  the  realms  of  light.” 

Thus  we  have  briefly  noticed  heaventy  joy , 
but  the  half  is  not  told.  0,  that  every  reader 
may  be  attracted  by  those  unspeakable  joys 
which  are  in  the  presence  of  God.  Let  him  con¬ 
template  these  joys,  let  him  anticipate  them,  and 
he  will  look  beyond  the  fleeting  delights  of  an 
evil  world,  to  those  pleasures  which  are  at  God’s 
right  hand  forever.  Earth  will  then  lose  its  at¬ 
tractions,  and  heaven  be  ever  in  his  eye. 

Let  the  Christian  take  courage  in  his  pilgrim¬ 
age  ;  let  the  joy  of  the  Lord  be  his  strength. 
Let  him"  remember,  that  though  this  world  is  a 
nigh-’  of  weeping,  yet  there  is  a  bright  mornmqi 


454  IMMANUEL7  S  LAND. 


coming — a  morning  of  everlasting  joy.  “Weep- 
ing  may  endure  for  a  night,  but  joy  cometh  in 
the  morning.”  Let  the  weeping  Christian  re¬ 
member  that  he  will  soon  reap  in  joy — that  he 
shall  joy  in  God,  his  unfailing  portion  through 
a  glorious  eternity.  “They  that  sow  in  tears 
shall  reap  in  joy.  He  that  goeth  forth  and  weep- 
eth,  bearing  precious  seed,  shall  doubtless  come 
again  with  rejoicing,  bringing  his  sheaves  with 
him.”  -  ' 

May  a  bleeding  Saviour  be  your  all  and  in 
all ;  and  when  his  glory  shall  be  revealed,  may 
you,  among  countless  millions,  be  one  who  shall 
be  glad  also  with  exceeding  joy. 

Best  in  Jesus,  and  in  a  little  while  all  will  be 
well. 

“How  unto  him  that  is  able  to  keep  you 
from  falling,  and  to  present  you  faultless  before 
the  presence  of  his  glory  with  exceeding  joy, 
to  the  only  wise  God  our  Saviour,  be  glory  and 
majesty,  dominion  and  power,  both  now  and 
ever.  Amen.” 

**  Joy  is  a  fruit  that  will  not  grow 
In  nature’s  barren  soil ; 

All  we  boast  till  Christ  we  know. 

Is  vanity  and  toil. 

®But  where  the  Lord  has  planted  grace, 

And  reach  Lis  e-loriea  known 

w 


■  ■  —  ■  . . .  — . —  -- 

Immanuel’s  lanl.  456 


Tliere  fruits  of  heavenly  joy  and  peace 
Are  found,  and  there  alone. 

A  bleeding  Saviour  seen  by  faith, 

A  sense  of  pard’ning  love ; 

A  hope  that  triumphs  over  death, 

Give  joys  like  those  above. 

To  take  a  glimpse  within  the  veil, 

To  know  that  God  is  mine; 

Aie  springs  of  joy  that  never  fail, 

„  Unspeakable  1  divine  I 

*  These  are  the  joys  which  satisfy, 

And  sanctify  the  mind ; 

Which  make  the  spirit  mount  on  high, 
And  leave  the  world  behind. 

No  more,  believers,  mourn  your 
But  if  you  are  the  Lord’s ; 

Beeign  to  them  that  know  him  not, 
thioh  joys  as  earth  afforda* 


r 


456  IMMANUEL’S  LAND. 


CHAPTER  IY. 

THE  GLORY. 

“The  glory  which  thou  gavest  me,  I  :ave  given  them  D— 
John  xvii.  22. 

«  The  ransom’d  soul,  in  glory  clad, 

*  Shines  brighter  than  meridian  sun  , 

The  weary  pilgrim,  now  so  sad, 

There  finds  his  toilsome  journey  done, 

4  Cheer  up,  ye  saints,  oppress’d  with  grief, 

With  joy  expand  your  drooping  wing ; 

Jesus  affords  the  kind  relief; 

Jesus  extracts  the  envenom’d  sting. 

Soon  will  you  reach  the  blest  abode, 

Where  happy  pilgrims  ever  reign ; 

Soon  shall  you  see  the  face  of  God, 

And  all  the  blis3  of  heaven  obtain  ” 

Heaven  is  a  glorious  place.  Its  glory  should 
attract  us.  How  delightful  to  think  of  heavenly 
glory!  How  it  raises  the  soul  above  earth! 
Let  us  soar  on  high  and  view  the  glory  of  the 
New  Jerusalem,  and  of  the  saints  in  light.  We 
have  seen  that  the  glory  of  God  and  the  Lamb 
irradiates  the  celestial  world.  There,  the  Sun 
of  Righteousness  always  shines,  and  his  beams 
gladden  the  hearts  of  a  ransomed  host.  There 


/ 


IMMANUEL’S  -.AND. 


457 


God  smiles,  and  tlie  nations  of  the  saved  walk 
in  the  light  of  his  countenance.  There  is  one 
perpetual  noontide  of  glory  in  the  mansions 
above.  There  is  glory — “an  exceeding  and 
eternal  weight” — reserved  in  heaven  for  them 
that  love  God. 

When  the  whole  assembly  of  the  redeemed 
shall  stand  on  Mount  Zion,  they  will  shine  as 
the  sun  in  eternal  glory.  “Then  shall  the 
righteous  shine  forth  as  the  sun  in  the  kingdom 
of  their  Father.”  Then  “they  that  be  wise, 
shall  shine  as  the  brightness  of  the  firmament ; 
and  they  that  turn  many  to  righteousness,  as  the 
stars  forever.”  Glory  shines  in  'Immanuel’s 
land.  The  city,  the  mansions,  the  inhabitants, 
are  all  glorious.  Every  believer  in  Jesus  will 
be  crowned  with  everlasting  glory.  Though  we 
could  not  bear  the  effulgence  of  heaven’s  glory, 
should  it  pow  beam  upon  us,  yet  we  know  that 
when  we  awake  to  immortality,  that  glory  shall 
be  revealed  in  us.  We  know  that  when  Christ, 
our  glorious  Head,  shall  appear,  we  shall  be  like 
him ;  for  we  shall  see  him  as  he  is.  0  to  be 
like  the  blessed  Jesus !  Wliat  heart  can  desire 
nore  ?  If  we  are  His  people  we  shall  soon  be 
like  him.  Our  bodies  shall  shine  like  his — 
like  that  wondrous  Personage  whose  original 
glory  once  beamed  on  Mount  Tabor,  when  his 
face  shone  as  the  sun,  and  when  his  raiment 
39 


458 


immanuel’s  land. 


was  white  as  the  light.  In  heaven,  the  woniers 
of  Mount  Tabor  will  ever  be  exhibited ;  and 
there  the  pure  radiance  of  the  Saviour’s  glory 
will  always  beam  upon  redeemed  millions. 
Who  can  conceive  this  blessedness  ?  How  de¬ 
sirable,  how  attractive  does  it  appear  to  an  im¬ 
mortal  mind !  From  those  heights  of  bliss,  every 
soul  will  be  ready  to  exclaim  with  Peter,  “  Lord, 
it  is  good  for  us  to  be  here.”  But  more  than 
this.  The  saints  will  be  made  partakers  of  the 
Redeemer’s  glory.”  “  The  glory  which  thou 
gavest  me,  I  have  given  them.”  11  The  Lord 
will  give  glory.”  Amazing  love !  that  Christ 
should  exalt  his  followers  to  such  bliss,  and 
crown  them  with  such  glory ! 

But  who  can  describe  the  glory  of  the  saints 
with  Christ,  contrasted  with  which,  the  splendor 
of  this  world  is  darkness  itself  I 

On  what  John  saw  in  the  revelation  of  the 
heavenly  world,  and  of  the  redeemed  in  glory, 
an  eloquent  living  writer*  has  the  following 
beautiful  and  glowing  expressions : 

“  The  glory  of  the  meridian  sun — the  intense 
brightness  of  the  furnace — the  pure  radiance  of 
the  light — the  transparent  beauty  of  the  rain¬ 
bow- — an  ocean  of  gold,  translucent  as  the  crys 

*  Stephen  H.  Tyng,  D.  D.,  of  New  York,  one  of  the  most 
eloquent  divines  o  vhe  present  ago. 


imiianuel’s  land 


459 


tal — precious  stones,  of  every  hue,  and  of  the 
richest  forms — fountains,  ever  sparkling  with 
living  water — streams,  with  an  unceasing  flow 
of  perfect  purity — trees  of  unchanging  verdure, 
clothed  with  endless  varieties  of  beautiful  fruit 
— living  beings,  of  the  noblest  and  most  exalted 
aspect,  clad  in  garments  which  earthly  art  in 
vain  would  imitate — music,  of  the  tenderest  in¬ 
fluence  and  of  the  most  overwhelming  power ; 
sometimes  the  single  melody  of  a  heavenly  harp 
and  voice,  and  again  flowing  forth  in  a  volume 
of  harmony,  like  approaching  thunders,  or  the 
majestic  waterfall,  or  the  mysterious  rolling  of 
the  sea— a  state  of  being,  in  its  aspect  of  loveli¬ 
ness,  feebly  illustrated  by  the  most  perfect  bridal 
beauty  and  purity  of  earth.  All  these,  and 
many  like  them,  are  efforts  to  express  to  man 
the  things  which  he  saw  and  heard.  But  they 
are  all  in  vain.  One  sentence  of  his  own  con¬ 
clusion  sums  up  his  acknowledged  inability  to 
describe  the  glory  of  the  saints  with  Christ : 
1  Beloved,  now  are  we  the  sons  of  God,  and  it 
doth  not  yet  appear  what  we  shall  be ;  but  we 
know  that  when  He  shall  appear,  we  shall  be 
like  Him :  for  we  shall  see  Him  as  He  is.’  ” 

To  see  Christ  as  he  is — to  behold  his  glory — 
to  be  made  a  partaker  of  the  glory  that  shall  be 
revealed — this  is  heaven ;  this  is  the  glory  of 
the  saints.  I>  is  to  this  glory  that  God  is  n bring- 


460  IMMANUE  *S  LAND. 


ing  many  sons.”  It  is  to  “  eternal  g.v  ry”  that 
we  are  called.  God  is  leading  his  people  to  his 
ten. pie  of  glory — to  that  city  where  there  is  no 
night,  and  where  they  need  no  candle,  neither 
light  of  the  sun  ;  for  the  Lori  God  giveth  them 
light,  and  they  shall  reign  forever  and  ever. 
There,  a  gracious  God  will  bestow  upon  us  the 
“ riches  of  his  glory,”  and  we  shall  shine  to  all 
eternity,  in  ]  he  garments  of  glory  and  of  beauty. 
We  shall  ii.  ^rit  a  glorious  kingdom,  and  wear 
a  glorious  ere  vn.  Our  bodies  shall  be  fashioned 
like  unto  Cbnst’s  “glorious  body  ;”  and  we  shall 
Obtain  an  exceeding  and  eternal  Aveight  of  glory 
in  the  smile  and  presence  of  God. 

In  view  of  our  future  glory,  how  insignificant 
do  these  present  afflictions  appear?  “For  I 
reckon,  that  the  sufferings  of  this  present  time 
are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  with  the  glory 
which  shall  be  revealed  in  us.”  Let  the  afflicted 
Christian  remember,  that  his  momentary  trials 
and  sufferings  here,  are  preparing  for  him  a 
weighty  crown  of  glory  hereafter. 

“Our  light  affliction,  which  is  but  for  a  mo 
ment,  worketh  for  us  a  far  more  exceeding  and 
eternal  weight  of  glory.”  Hoav  animating  is 
this  hope  of  a  glorioyrs  immortality !  0  joyful 

hope !  It  cheers  us  amidst  the  surrounding 
gloom  of  life;  it  illuminates  our  pathway  to  the 
tomb;  it  sheds  its  radiance  beyond  the  grave; 


—  < 


immanusl’s  land  461 

» 

it  enables  the  believer  to  exclaim,  when  he  is 
just  finishing  his  earthly  course,  and  about  to 
embark  upon  the  boundless  ocean  of  eternity, 
“  Henceforth  there  is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown  of 
righteousness,  which  the  Lord,  the  righteous 
Judge,  shall  give  me  at  that  day :  and  not  to 
me  only,  but  unto  all  them  also  that  love  his 
appearing. 

Then,  let  us  run  with  patience,  the  race  that 
is  set  before  us,  and  soon  we  shall  reach  the  goal 
of  immortal  blessedness;  then  shall  the  glory 
of  heaven  gladden  our  blissful  sight,  and  the 
streams  of  Paradise  refresh  our  weary  souls. 
Let  every  reader  be  attracted  by  the  glory  of 
heaven.  Let  him  look  to  a  bleeding  Saviour 
for  salvation,  and  press  onwaid  with  eagerness 
to  receive  the  crown  cf  glory  that  fadeth  not 
away. 

39* 


462 


Immanuel’s  land* 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE  REST. 

“There  lem&meth  therefore  a  rest  to  the  peorle  of  God  * 
— Heb.  iv.  9. 

“We  seek  a  rest  beyond  the  skies, 

In  everlasting  day; 

Through  floods  and  flames  the  passage  lies. 

But  Jesus  guards  the  way 

“The  swelling  flood  and  raging  flame, 

Hear  and  obey  his  word  ; 

Then  let  us  triumph  in  his  name, 

Our  Saviour  is  the  Lord.” 


There  is  something  peculiarly  attractive  m  the 
description  of  heaven  as  a  place  of  rest.  Here 
is  something  that  tends  powerfully  to  lead  the 
soul  upwards.  This  fleeting  scene  of  trouble  is 
overlooked  when  the  land  of  Best  is  in  view. 

Heaven  is  a  state  of  rest — rest  reserved  for 
the  righteous.  How  cheering  is  the  blessed 
truth,  “  There  remaineth  a  rest  to  the  people  of 
God.”  How  desirable,  how  delightful  is  rest  to 
the  weary  traveller;  to  those  who  are  almost 
overwhelmed  with  the  cares  and  anxieties  and 
afflictions,  incident  to  human  life!  How  re- 


Immanuel’s  land. 


463 


freshing  to  the  sons  and  daughters  of  affliction 
— to  those  whose  bodies  are  “chastened  with 
pain” — is  the  enjoyment  of  rest.  But  what  is 
the  rest  of  earth  to  that  of  heaven?  0,  how 
delightful  will  it  be  for  the  Christian,  after  the 
storms  of  life  to  enter  the  desired  haven  of  eter¬ 
nal  rest ! 

“  Then  are  they  glad  because  they  be  quiet ; 
so  he  bringeth  them  unto  their  desired  haven.” 
Every  believer  will  be  enabled  to  shout,  as  he 
steps  on  the  shores  of  glory,  “  This  is  my  rest 
forever :  here  will  I  dwell,  for  I  have  desired 
it.”  What  a  rest  is  here  presented  to  our  view, 
to  animate  us  in  our  lonely  pilgimage  I  A  rest 
from  sin  and  suffering — from  toil  and  pain ;  but 
not  from  praise.  A  rest  in  the  arms  of  Infinite 
Love;  a  rest  in  Abraham’s  bosom,  with  Jesus, 
the  sinner’s  friend.  A  rest  perfect,  complete, 
and  eternal.  This  is  the  saint’s  rest.  0  blessed 
rest!  where  all  are  resting  in  eternal  love — 
blooming  in  eternal  joy.  Let  this  attract  you. 
“There  the  wicked  cease  from  troubling,  and 
there  the  weary  are  at  rest.”  * 

You  can  find  no  rest  in  this  world.  To  the 
Christian,  life  is  a  continual  battle-field ;  with¬ 
out  are  fightings,  within  are  fears.  “We  wrestle 
not  against  flesh  and  blood,  but  against  princi¬ 
palities,  against  oowers,  against  the  rulers  of  the 
darkness  of  this  world,  against  spiritual  wicked- 


464  IMMANUELS  LAND. 


ness  in  high  places.”  We  are  comma  ided  to 
“put  on  the  whole  aramr  of  God,  that  we  may 
be  able  to  stand  against  the  wiles  of  the  devil ;” 
and  exhorted  to  light  the  good  fight  of  faith.. 
There  is  no  rest  for  the  Christian  here ;  it  is 
above — in  our  Father’s  house — in  the  mansions 
of  glory. 

How  animating  to  think  that  our  rest  is  near 
at  hand — that  our  warfare  will  soon  be  over — 
that  our  pilgrimage  will  soon  be  ended  !  Every 
day  is  bringing  us  nearer  our  blessed  home. 
That  joyful  morning  will  soon  dawn,  when  the 
soldiers  of  the  cross  shall  honorably  lay  aside 
their  weapons,  and,  with  the  garlands  of  victory 
on  their  brow,  enter  triumphantly  upon  that 
rest  which  remaineth  for  the  people  of  God. 

How  long  and  loud  will  be  those  songs  of  vic¬ 
tory  that  shall  ring  from  lank  to  rank,  through 
that  mighty  host,  who  have  been  more  than  con- 
querors  through  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  and  who 
are  now  brought  to  enjoy  sweet,  eternal  rest  in 
the  bosom  of  God  !  How  sweet  will  heaven  be  to 
the  weary  Christian  pilgrim  when  he  finds  his 
toilsome  journey  ended  ;  when  from  the  heights 
of  glory  he  looks  back  on  a  world  of  sorrow 
through  which  he  has  passed  !  To  the  afflicted 
saint,  that  “rest”  will  become  sweeter  when  he  re¬ 
flects  on  his  past  sufferings.  There,  he  finds  that 
all  his  tears  aie  wiped  away,  and  not  one  joy  is 
3G 


IMMANUELS  LAND. 


465 


wanting  in  the  presence  of  his  Saviour,  and  in 
the  smile  of  his  God. 

Heaven  is  now  presented  to  ns  weary  pilgrims 
with  this  powerful  attraction — Rest.  Would 
you  enjoy  it?  Does  your  heart  aspire  after 
heaven’s  blessed  rest?  Then  believe  in  Jesus  ; 
rest  in  him  now,  and  you  will  soon  rest  with 
him  in  the  Paradise  of  God. 

Remember  that  this  is  not  your  rest.  “Here 
we  have  no  continuing  city,  but  we  seek  one  to 
come.”  We  are  strangers  and  pilgrims  on  the 
earth.  This  is  not  our  home.  We  are  coming 
up  from  the  wilderness  with  our  faces  Zionward ; 
we  are  travelling  to  the  celestial  city.  Our  path 
is  rough,  but  the  Saviour  sustains  us.  Our  pil¬ 
grimage  lies  through  a  wilderness,  but  faith 
cheers  us  with  a  view  of  the  glorious  rest  of  the 
redeemed  in  our  Father’s  house — in  mansions 
of  blessedness. 

And  how  reviving  to  think  that  faith  shall 
soon  be  turned  into  sight !  Let  this  considera¬ 
tion  animate  us  amidst  the  conflicts  of  life.  In 
a  little  while  we  shall  obtain  a  joyous  entrance 
upon  the  rest  above.  The  storms  of  life’s  ocean 
will  soon  carry  us  into  the  haven  of  peace, 
where  there  is  no  trouble.  We  shall  soon  rest 
with  Christ.  Then  our  pilgrimage  will  have 
ended,  and  our  eternal  rest  have  begun.  From 
the  temple  of  God  there  shall  be  no  more  going 


466  Immanuel’s  land. 


out.  There,  the  saints  shall  enjoy  the  everlast¬ 
ing  rest — the  Sabbath  of  eternity.  Let  us  be 
admonished  to  seek  the  saint’s  rest  now.  The 
language  of  inspiration  is,  “  Arise  ye,  and  de¬ 
part,  for  this  is  not  your  rest.”  Your  Saviour, 
pilgrim  Christian,  has  prepared  for  you  a  nobler 
rest  than  this  polluted  world.  In  nis  Father’s 
house  are  many  spacious  mansions,  where  your 
happy  spirit,  after  tasting  the  bitter  cup  of  life’s 
sorrow,  shall  rest  in  eternal  blessedness.  No 
restlessness  w  ill  be  experienced  in  the  realms  of 
glory.  Nor  sorrow  nor  trouble  of  any  kind  will 
be  there.  There,  the  redeemed  rest  from  their 
labors  and  cares,  and  doubts  and  fears,  and 
spiritual  conflicts.  For  them  there  is  an  eternal 
calm — a  rest  of  perfect  satisfaction  in  the  enjoy¬ 
ment  of  God  their  Saviour.  0,  what  a  world  is 
that,  where  not  a  wave  of  trouble  shall  roll  over 
the  soul,  where  all  are  resting  in  the  enjoyment 
of  Him,  who  is  “as  a  hiding-place  from  the 
wind,  and  a  covert  from  the  tempest ;  as  rivers 
of  water  in  a  dry  place,  as  the  shadow  of  a  great 
rock  in  a  weary  land.” 

Heavenly  rest  should  attract  us.  “Let  u. 
labor,  therefore,  to  enter  into  that  rest,  lest  any 
man  fill  after  the  same  example  of  unbelief.” 
“  Return  unto  tlry  rest,  0  my  soul :  for  the  Lord 
hath  dealt  bountifully  with  thee.” 

In  view  of  such  a  glorious  rest  beyond  the 


IMMANUELS  LAND. 


467 


grav3,  well  may  we  exclaim,  “Blessed  are  tlio 
dead  which  die  in  the  Lord  from  henceforth : 
yea,  saith  the  spirit,  that  they  may  rest  from 
their  labors ;  and  their  works  do  follow  them.” 
“  For  he  that  is  entered  unto  his  rest,  he  also 
hath  ceased  from  his  own  works,  as  God  did 
from  his.” 

v  Blessed  Jesus  !  enable  me  to  rely,  with  cheer¬ 
ful  hope,  on  thy  dying  love,  until  I  reach  the 
blissful  mansions,  and  enter  upon  my  j  >yful 
rest  ■ — 

°  Then  shall  I  bathe  my  weary  soul. 

In  seas  of  heavenly  rest ; 

And  not  a  wave  of  trouble  roll 
Across  my  peaceful  breftsi.1 


CnAPTEft  VI. 

THE  EMPLOYMENT, 

v  Therefore  are  they  before  the  throne  of  God,  and  eervi 
him  day  and  night  in  his  temple” — Rev.  vii.  15. 

“And  they  sung  a  new  song.” — Rev.  v.  9. 

There  is  much,  in  the  employment  of  heaven 
to  engage  our  hearts  and  warm  our  affections. 
Heavenly  employment  is  the  most  delightful 
work  in  which  the  soul  ever  engaged.  The  re¬ 
deemed  will  be  filled  with  ecstasy  while  engaged 
in  celestial  work.  The  rest  of  heaven  which 
we  have  been  describing,  is  not  a  state  of  inac¬ 
tivity.  0,  blessed  rest,  where  “  they  rest  not 
day  and  night,  saying,  Holy,  holy,  holy,  Lord 
God  Almighty,  which  was,  and  is,  and  is  to 
come.”  The  mansions  of  glory  will  be  filled 
with  the  sweetest  melody.  The  employment  in 
which  the  redeemed  in  glory  are  engaged,  is  one 
that  should  attract  every  sinner.  It  is  one  of 
everlasting  praise  and  adoration.  How  delight¬ 
ful  to  spend  eternity  in  praising  God — in  con¬ 
templating  his  wonderful  works — in  admiring 
his  redeeming  love!  When  all  the  redeemed 
are  brought  home  to  glory,  they  shall  serve  God 


IMMANUELS  LAND.  469 


day  and  night  in  his  temple.  They  shall  sing 
the  song  of  Moses  and  the  Lamb  through  a  glo¬ 
rious  eternity. 

In  heaven  the  saints  will  be  meditating  on  the 
wonders  of  creation,  providence,  and  redemp¬ 
tion^  There  the  power,  wisdom,  and  goodness 
of  God,  as  manifested  in  the  works  of  a  vast 
universe,  will  be  brought  to  full  view.  In  con¬ 
templating  Jehovah’s  mighty  empire,  all  those 
radiant  inhabitants  of  heaven’s  mansions  shall 
cast  their  crowns  before  the  throne  of  God,  and 
cry,  “  Thou  art  worthy,  0  Lord,  to  receive  glory, 
and  honor,  and  power ;  for  thou  hast  created  all 
things,  and  for  thy  pleasure  they  are  and  were 
created.”  What  pleasures  are  to  be  derived 
from  the  contemplation  of  nature  !  With  what 
delight  have  the  minds  of  Bacon  and  Boyle,  of 
Newton  and  Herschel,  surveyed  the  magnifi¬ 
cence  of  creation’s  works !  But  in  heaven,  the 
Christian,  with  a  knowledge  infinitely  surpass¬ 
ing  that  possessed  by  any  of  these  eminent  cha¬ 
racters,  shall  range,  with  exquisite  pleasure 
amidst  the  beauties  of  Paradise.  He  shall  spend 
eternal  ages  in  contemplating  those  wonderful 
Jvorks  which  an  omnipotent  arm  has  scattered 
in  endless  variety  and  beauty  around  him,  and 
which  declare  the  glory  of  God,  and  exhibit  his 
power,  wisdom,  goodness,  and  love.  The  beauty 
of  the  celestial  universe,  the  charms  of  science, 
40 


470 


.mmanuel/s  lanl 


and  the  pleasures  of  religion,  will  forever  attract 
the  redeemed  in  glory.  To  those  who  have  a 
proper  estimate  of  the  value  and  importance  of 
natural  and  divine  knowledge,  how  attractive 
does  that  world  appear  where  all  are  engaged  in 
contemplating  the  most  delightful  subjects  that 
can  be  presented  to  an  immortal  mind !  In 
heaven,  knowledge  will  have  arrived  at  perfec¬ 
tion.  Here,  we  see  through  a  glass  darkly; 
there,  face  to  face.  Here,  we  know  but  in  part ; 
there,  we  will  know  even  as  we  are  known. 

In  heaven,  the  providence  of  God  over  his 
church  and  people,  and  every  particular  saint, 
will  be  beautifully  exhibited,  causing  each  heart 
to  exclaim,  “  Thou  hast  done  all  things  well.” 
But  above  all,  redemption  will  be  the  chief 
theme  of  the  redeemed  before  the  throne.  That 
glorious  work,  executed  on  Calvary  by  the  Soi 
of  God,  will  employ  the  souls  of  ransomed 
saints  in  holy  meditation  through  the  blessed 
Sabbath  of  eternity. 

With  what  wonder  shall  that  happy  multi¬ 
tude  look  into  this  mystery  of  love  to  fallen 
man — the  redemption  of  the  soul !  With  what 
astonishment  will  they  gaze  upon  a  crucified 
Saviour,  bearing  the  print  of  the  nails  and  of 
the  spear  on  his  glorious  form.  How  will  se¬ 
raphic  love  and  gratitude  rise  in  the  bosoms  of 
those  who  have  been  washed  in  the  blool  ot 


T 


IMMANt  5 L’S  LAND.  47l 


Jesus,  when  they  behold  Him  in  the  midst  of 
the  throne  as  the  Lamb  that  was  slain  for  them  I 
A  crucified  Jesus  will  be  eternally  admired  as 
the  Lamb  slain  for  the  redemption  of  sinners. 
He  will  receive  the  homage  and  praise  of  all  the 
redeemed  through  eternity.  Eternity  itself  will 
be  too  short  in  which  to  speak  his  praise,  or  tell 
his  preciousness,  or  proclaim  the  vastness  of  his 
dying  love  on  Calvary.  This  everlasting  song 
in  which  all  voices  shall  unite  in  melodious 

v 

strains,  will  be  sung  in  the  realms  of  glory : — 
“  Worthy  is  the  Lamb  that  was  slain  to  receive 
power,  and  riches,  and  wisdom,  and  strength, 
and  honor,  and  glory,  and  blessing.  Blessing, 
and  honor,  and  glory,  and  power,  be  unto  him 
that  sitteth  upon  the  throne,  and  unto  the 
Lamb,  forever  and  ever.” 

In  the  contemplation  of  redemption,  the  souls 
of  the  redeemed  will  be  lost  in  wonder,  love,  and 
praise.  How  overpowering  will  be  the  display 
of  divine  love  that  shall  then  shine  in  the  glo 
rious  plan  of  salvation  I 

The  eternal  love  of  the  Father,  in  giving  his 
Son,  his  only-begotten  Son,  to  die  for  sinners — 
the  amazing  love  of  the  Son,  in  exchanging  the 
throne  of  glory  for  the  cross  of  Calvary — the 
wonderful  love  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  in  applying 
redemption  to  thr*  soul,  will  then  appear  in  fall 
resplendency. 


472 


immanusl’s  land. 


How  brightly  will  that  love  which  was  dice 
manifested  on  Calvary  shine  in  the  habitation 
of  the  redeemed,  while  glorified  saints  are  em¬ 
ploying  their  noble  powers  in  its  sublime  con¬ 
templation  !  Redemption  will  furnish  eternal 
employment  for  the  Christian  in  that  brighter 
world — his  happy  home.  Eternal  ages  of  glory 
can  never  unravel  the  mystery  of  redeeming 
love.  Redemption  is  a  theme  on  which  the 
soul  may  unceasingly  dwell  with  rapturous  de¬ 
light,  and  discover  brighter  and  brighter  dis¬ 
plays  of  divine  love  and  glon^  to  all  eternity. 
How  sweet  will  be  the  study  of  redemption  in 
heaven!  That  glorious  salvation  of  which  “the 
prophets  have  inquired  and  searched  diligently,” 
and  which  the  angels  desire  to  look  into,  will 
ever  be  the  delightful  and  soul-ravishing  theme 
of  the  redeemed  in  glory,  while  eternal  ages 
roll  away. 

Then  the  employment  of  heaven  will  include 
in  it  unending  praise.  Eternal  songs  will  re¬ 
sound  through  the  mansions  of  glory.  The 
saints  will  be  employed  in  praising  God — in  ad¬ 
miring  the  beauty  and  glory  of  Him  who  died 
on  Calvary  for  their  redemption.  One  theme, 
— one  song  will  employ  every  soul  in  glory.  It 
is  the  wondrous  theme — the  new  song  of  re¬ 
demption,  that  will  draw  from  their  lips  the 
loudest  notes  of  praise.  11  And  they  sung  a  new 


Immanuel’s  land.  473 


song,  saying,  Thou  art  worthy  to  take  the  book, 
and  to  open  the  seals  thereof;  for  thou  {vast 
slain,  and  hast  redeemed  us  to  God  by  thy  blood 
out  of  every  kindred  and  tongue,  and  people, 
and  nation.”  “  And  they  cried  with  a  loud 
voice,  saying,  salvation  to  cur  God  who  sitteth 
upon  the  throne,  and  unto  the  Lamb.”  “  And 
they  sing  the  song  of  Moses,  and  the  song  of  the 
Lamb.” 

Such  is  the  delightful  employment  of  the 
heavenly  world.  Should  not  this  blessed  work 
attract  you?  Do  you  not  long  to  join  with  the 
redeemed  above  in  those  celestial  songs  of  praise 
to  him  who  died  for  man?  0,  then,  be  entreated 
to  choose  a  loving  Saviour  now ;  and  the  happy 
hour  will  soon  arrive  when  you  shall  raise  your 
joyful  voice  in  glory,  and  unite  with  the  ran¬ 
somed  of  the  Lord  in  that  sweet  song  which  has 
no  dying  cadence,  and  with  which  the  arches  of 
heaven  shall  entirely  resound; — “Unto  Him  that 
loved  us,  and  washed  us  from  our  sins  in  his 
own  blood,  and  hath  made  tfs  kings  and  priests 
unto  God  and  his  Father,  to  Him  be  glory  and 
dominion  forever  and  ever.  Amen.” 

“  Oh,  holy,  holy,  holy  Lord! 

Whom  angel  hosts  adore; 

When  shall  I  join  in  raptured  etivdnn 
The  bright  celestial  choir  f 

40* 


IMMANL  ELS  LAND, 


In  pity  view  a  sinful  worm, 

A  prisoner  here  below  ; 

A  pilgrim  journeying  through  the  laud 
Of  darkness,  sin,  and  woe. 

“  Ten  thousand  Voices  round  thy  throno 
Unite  in  hymns  divine  ; 

‘Salvation  to  the  Lamb  !’  they  cry, 

As  high  in  bliss  they  shine. 

Fain  would  I  now  begin  the  song, 

To  thee  my  God  and  Friend ; 

Then  mingle  with  the  choirs  abov<?, 

It  praise  whiol  rm’er  shiv1 


immanoel’s  ii and  475 


CHAPTER  VII. 

THE  SOCIETY. 

•  . 

“Ye  are  come  unio  Mount  Zion,  an^  onto  the  c  ty  of  .ho 
living  God,  the  heavenly  Jerusalem,  and  to  an  innumerable 
company  of  angels,  to  the  general  assembly  .And  church  of 
the  first  born,  which  are  written  in  heaven,  ai.d  to  God  the 
Judge  of  all,  and  the  spirits  of  just  men  made  perfect,  and 
to  Jesus  the  mediator  of  the  new  covenant.” — Heb.  xii. 
22-24. 

The  society  of  Immanuel’s  land  forms  a  prin¬ 
cipal  part  of  celestial  happiness.  Were  a  saint 
to  be  excluded  from  the  society  of  the  uppei 
sanctuary,  he  could  not  be  happy  though  sur¬ 
rounded  by  all  the  glories  of  the  heavenly  Jeru¬ 
salem. 

Heaven  is  a  state  of  sweet,  uninterrupted 
communion.  There  the  redeemed  will  meet  in 
blissful  harmony,  no  more  to  separate.  There, 
they  shall  meet  with  the  people  of  God  who 
have  lived  in  every  age  of  the  world*  there 
they  shall  converse  with  those  bright  angelic 
beings  that  never  sinned  ;  and  there  they  shall 
have  the  blissful  society  and  glorious  presence  of 
Him  whom  their  souls  love  above  every  sublu¬ 
nary  rbject — they  shall  he  ever  with  the  Lord.  The 


476  Immanuel’s  land. 


contemplation  of  heavenly  society  should  lead 
every  reader  to  seek  the  happy  shores  of  that 
world  where  all  the  inhabitants  are  united  in 
one  sweet  bond  of  affection  and  love. 

We  shall  briefly  notice  the  pure  and  perfect 
society  that  the  redeemed  are  to  enjoy  through 
countless  ages,  in  Immanuel’s  land. 

1.  In  heaven,  the  saints  shall  have  the  society 
of  their  redeemed  brethren  of  every  age  and  na¬ 
tion.  There,  we  shall  sit  down  with  Abraham, 
Isaac  and  Js&ob,  in  the  kingdom  of  Immanuel. 
We  shall  meet  with  the  excellent  of  the  earth. 
We  shall  be  associated  with  Patriarchs  and  Pro¬ 
phets —  with  Apostles  and  Martyrs  —  with  all 
the  lovers  of  the  Saviour.  And  what  a  blessed 
society  will  this  be,  where  every  heart  is  full  of 
love  and  every  tongue  flowing  with  praise. 

Can  a  doubt  be  entertained  that  the  saints 
will  know  one  another  in  glory  ?  Surely  not. 
If  the  disciples  knew  Moses  and  Elias  standing 
on  Mount  Tabor,  may  we  not  expect  to  know 
them  too,  when  standing  on  the  Mount  of  God? 
Paul  tells  the  Thessalonians  that  they  are  his 
hope,  and  joy,  and  crown  of  rejoicing  at  the 
coming  of  the  Lord ;  and  when  he  would  com¬ 
fort  those  who  were  mourning  the  loss  of  pious 
friends,  he  sets  before  them  the  blessed  hope  of 
meeting  them  on  that  great  and  joyous  morning 
when  the  dead  in  Christ  shall  burst  the  fetters 


IMMANUEL'S  LAND. 


477 


of  the  grave  and  arise  to  immortality.  Nothing 
will  be  wanting  to  perfect  the  happiness  of  the 
redeemed  m  glory.  We  may  then  anticipate 
the  most  delightful  \ssociation — the  most  inti¬ 
mate  acquaintance.  0  how  delightful  will  it  be 
to  converse  with  Moses  and  Elias,  with  David 
and  Isaiah,  with  Paul  and  the  twelve  Apostles 
of  the  Lamb ;  to  hear  from  their  own  lips  the 
tale  of  their  wonderful  history !  How  joyful 
will  such  society  be!  When  we  land  on  the 
shores  of  glory  we  shall  enjoy  the  society  of  all 
those  faithful  embassadors  of  the  cross  of  Jesus, 
who  proclaimed  salvation  to  a  dying  world. 
There  we  shall  be  associated  with  such  men  as 
Luther,  Calvin,  Baxter,  Flavel,  Owen,  Watts, 
Doddridge,  Edwards,  Payson,  Chalmers  and  Me* 
Cheyne ;  men  who  were  so  strongly  attached  to 
the  cause  of  Christ,  and  so  entirely  devoted  to 
his  service.  All  the  ransomed  of  the  Lord  shall 
dwell  together  in  one  happy  home.  In  the 
word  of  God  heaven  is  represented  as  a  social 
state:  “I  beheld,  and  lo,  a  great  multitude, 
which  no  man  could  number,  of  all  nations,  and 
kindreds,  and  people,  and  tongues,  stood  before 
the  throne,  and  before  the  Lamb.”  We  shall 
have  the  most  endeared  society  in  the  world  of 
glory.  We  shall  meet  again,  on  the  peaceful 
shore,  those  dear  friends  with  whom  we  took 
sweet  couicil  together,  and  we^t  to  the  house 


m 


immanuel’s  land. 


of  God  in  company,  till  death  parted  us.  How 
joyful  will  that  meeting  be,  when  we  shall  min¬ 
gle  again  with  our  Christian  relath  es  in  the 
Celestial  Sanctuary!  Then  shall  we  be  made 
pillars  in  the  temple  of  God,  to  go  no  more  out. 

In  Immanuel’s  land,  there  is  no  more  parting , 
and  there  the  word  “FareweU”  never  breaks  the 
heart.  What  a  consolation  does  this  blessed 
truth  administer  to  the  bereaved  Christian ! 
Perhaps  the  eyes  of  such  are  now  resting  on 
these  hues ;  if  so,  we  say  to  you,  dear  reader 
“Sorrow  not,  even  as  others,  which  have  no 
hope.  For  if  we  believe  that  Jesus  died  and 
lose  again,  even  so  them  also  which  sleep  in 
Jesus  will  God  bring  with  him.” 

Be  followers  of  them  who  through  faith  and 
patience  inherit  the  promises ;  and  verjr  SOon 
you  will  reach  the  peaceful  shores  of  glory,  and 
meet  your  godly  relatives  in  blissful  harmony 
ant  adoring  praise.  “Wherefore  comfort  one 
another  with  these  words.” 

2.  In  the  celestial  world,  the  saints  shall  have 
the  society  of  holy  angels — an  innumerable  com¬ 
pany  of  angels.  Those  minister ng  spirits  who 
watched  over  our  footsteps  on  earth,  will  be  oui 
companions  in  glory.  With  them  we  shall  unite- 
in  the  contemplation  of  redemption,  and  join  ill 
the  praises  of  Immanuel,  saying  with  a  loud 
voice,  “Worthy  is  the  Lamb  that  was  slain  to 


IMMANUEi  S  LAND. 


479 


receive  power,  and  riches,  and  wisdom  and 
strength,  and  honor,  and  glory,  and  blessing. — 
Blessing,  and  honor,  and  glory,  and  power,  be 
unto  hifn  that  sitteth  upon  the  throne,  and  unto 
the  Lamb,  forever  and  ever.” 

3.  But  the  crowning  bliss  of  heaven  is  the 
enjoyment  of  God — Father,  Son,  and  Holy 
Spirit.  In  those  bright  realms,  we  shall  enjoy 
the  society  of  our  Heavenly  Father;  we  shall 
see  his  face.  “  Blessed  are  the  pure  in  heart,  for 
they  shall  see  God.”  “  And  they  shall  see  hia 
face ;  and  his  name  shall  be  in  their  foreheads.” 
This  blissful  sight  and  enjoyment  of  God  is  the 
perfection  of  happiness — all  that  the  soul  desires. 
No  heart  can  conceive  how  sweet  that  commu¬ 
nion  between  a  holy  God  and  redeemed  saints 
will  be  in  the  mansions  of  bliss. 

There,  God  will  be  near  his  people  in  a  pe¬ 
culiar  manner,  to  bl  tes  them  with  his  glorious 
presence — to  comfort  them  with  the  full  assur¬ 
ance  of  his  love,  and  the  eternal  smiles  of  hii 
countenance. 

Then  shall  “the  tabernacle  of  God  be  with 
men  and  he  will  dwell  with  them,  and  they 
sha.  be  his  people,  and  God  himself  shall  be 
with  them,  and  bb  their  God.”  Standing  before 
his  throne,  and  seeing  his  face  in  righteousness, 
we  shall  behold  the  glorious  manifestation  of 
his  grace  and  love  beaming  upon  us  to  all  eter 


IMMANUEL’S  LAND, 


*80 


nity.  When  we  enter  the  portals  of  glory,  we 
shall  see  the  King  of  Zion  in  his  beauty,  and  be 
perfectly  blessed  in  the  full  enjoyment  of  hig 
endearing  society  through  heaven’s  eternal  day. 

“There  shall  I  see  thv  smiling  face 
And  never,  never  sin, 

There,  from  the  rivers  of  thy  grace, 

Drink  endless  pleasures  in.” 

4.  Tne  saints  shall  have  the  society  of  Christ 
in  glory.  This  is  the  principal  attraction  of  the 
heavenly  world.  In  those  blessed  regions,  dwells 
the  glorious  Saviour  with  his  people.  “  He  that 
sitteth  on  the  throne  shall  dwell  among  them.” 
Oh  !  to  dwell  in  the  presence  of  Him  who  loved 
us  and  washed  us  from  our  sins  in  his  own  blood. 
What  heart  can  conceive  the  unutterable  joy  I 
The  presence  of  Jesus  makes  the  heaven  of  the 
believer.  It  is  the  heartfelt  desire  of  every  .re¬ 
newed  soul  to  be  with  Christ — to  enjoy  Km  so¬ 
ciety.  The  saints  never  feel  themselves  happy 
till  they  are  with  Him,  who  is,  in  their  estima¬ 
tion,  the  chiefest  among  ten  thousand,  and  alto¬ 
gether  lovely.  The  presence  of  Jesus  is  the 
very  centre  of  heavenly  bliss.  It  is  the  felicity 
—the  glory  of  the  saints  above.  In  the  presence 
of  our  Immanuel  there  is  fulness  of  joy,  and 
pleasures  for  evermore. 

When  th  3  Christian  meditates  on  the  glories 


IMMANUEL’S  LAND. 


481 


of  the  Saviour — when  he  considers  that  this 
adorable  Saviour  died  for  him — when  he  reflects 
that  he  is  soon  to  dwell  with  Him  in  the  courts 
of  Paradise,  no  wonder  that  he  should  soar  on 
the  wings  of  faith,  beyond  the  visions  of  a  mor¬ 
tal  scene,  and  exclaim  with  the  Psalmist,  “  Whom 
have  I  in  heaven  but  thee  ?  and  there  is  none 
upon  earth  that  I  desire  besides  thee  I”  The 
sweet  thought  of  the  society  of  Jesus  in  glory 
made  Paul  long  to  be  dissolved,  that  he  might 
be  with  his  Saviour.  “ 1  am  in  a  strait  betwixt 
two,  having  a  desire  to  depart,  and  to  be  with 
Christ ;  which  is  far  better.”  “  Por  to  me  to  die 
is  gain.”  The  blessed  hope  of  entering  into  the 
immediate  presence  of  a  loving  Saviour,  made 
the  martyrs  pass  through  flames  to  the  portals 
of  bliss ;  and  it  will  make  every  one  who  knows 
and  is  fully  assured  that  his  Redeemer  liveth, 

meet  death  with  a  smile.  When  the  Christian 

* 

knows  that  to  die  is  only  to  depart  and  be  with 
Christ,  no  wonder  that  he  should  exclaim  with 
his  departing  breath,  in  transports  of  joy,  “  Come, 
Lord  Jesus,  come  quickly.” 

The  redeemed  will  ever  enjoy  the  glorious 
presence  and  blissful  society  of  the  Lord  Jesus, 
in  mansions  of  endless  felicity.  1 1  So  shall  we 
ever  be  with  the  Lord.”  u  Where  I  am,”  says 
Christ,  “  there  shall  also  my  servant  be.”  And 
again,  “Father,  I  will  that  they  also  whom  thou 
41 


482 


immanuel’s  land. 


hast  given  me  be  with  me  where  I  am,  that  they 
may  behold  my  glory.”  This  is  heaven,  the 
glorious  habitation  of  the  redeemed. 

To  enjoy  sweet  communion  with  a  glorified 
Saviour,  is  to  be  in  a  state  of  perfect  happiness. 
This  unspeakable  blessedness  awaits  all  the 
friends  of  Jesus  in  a  world  of  glory.  0  happy 
thought 

"When  the  bright  morning  of  the  resurrection 
shall  dawn  upon  our  enraptured  souls,  we  shall 
behold,  with  our  bodily  eyes,  that  Saviour  who 
once  left  the  realms  of  bliss  and  poured  out  his 
precious  blood  on  Calvary  for  our  redemption. 
How  lovely  and  attractive  will  he  appear  then 
as  our  Eedeemer  I  How  will  his  glory  shine  in 
the  celestial  sanctuary !  And  how  will  our  souls 
burn  with  seraphic  love,  and  rise  in  adoration 
and  praise  when  we  shall  behold  him  as  he  is, 
on  his  heavenly  throne,  radiant  in  glory ;  when 
we  shall  see  his  hands  and  feet,  and  side  and 
head,  which  were  once  wounded  for  our  trans¬ 
gressions,  and  bruised  for  our  iniquities ;  when 
we  shall  forever  bask  in  the  light  of  his  life- 
giving  countenance,  and  taste  through  eternity 
the  sweetness  of  his  immortal  love ! 

What  fountains  of  joy  and  rivers  of  pleasure 
will  emanate  from  his  blissful  presence  to  ex¬ 
hilarate  our  happy  spirits  while  eternal  ages 
roll  on  1  ' 


Immanuel’s  land.  483 


Dear  believer,  in  a  little  while  your  eyes  shall 
behold  the  King  in  his  beauty,  and  the  glorious 
land  that  is  afar  off. 

“  A  few  more  rolling  suns,  at  most, 

Will  land  you  on  fair  Canaan’s  coast  ; 

Then  you  shall  sing  the  song  of  graog* 

And  see  your  Saviour  face  to  fau<9  * 


484  Immanuel’s  land. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE  PERPETUITY  OF  BLISS. 

u  And  they  shall  reign  forever  and  ever.” — Rev.  xxii.  6. 

“0  ye  blest  scenes  of  permanent  delight? 

Full,  above  measure!  lasting,  beyond  bound  1 
A  perpetuity  of  bliss,  is  bliss.” 

The  glory  of  Immanuel’s  land  will  shine  with 
increasing  splendor  through  eternity.  The  bliss 
of  heaven  is  eternal.  This  stamps  an  infinite 
value  on  all  celestial  enjoyments.  How  noble 
are  those  pleasures  which  are  to  endure  forever  I 
Such  are  the  pleasures  which  are  at  God’s  hand. 
They  never  fade.  Forever  is  attached  to  every 
enjoyment  in  Immanuel’s  land.  Eternity  is  the 
measure  of  the  saint’s  bliss.  11  And  they  shall 
reign  forever  and  ever.” 

That  happy  land  which  we  have  been  de¬ 
scribing  in  this  little  volume  is  an  eternal  world. 
It  is  an  inheritance  incorruptible  and  un defiled, 
and  that  fadeth  not  away.  How  different  from 
this  earthly  abode  are  those  bright  mansions  in 
our  Father’s  kingdom!  How  fleeting  are  the 
pleasures  of  time  This  world  itself,  with  all  its 


IMMANUEL’S  LAND. 


485 


grandeur,  is  passing  away.  Mutability,  and  de¬ 
cay  and  dissolution  are  indelibly  written  on  all 
beneath,  she  skies.  Every  object  around  ua 
feels  the  withering  touch  of  time,  and  fades  be¬ 
neath  its  corroding  energy.  The  proudest  monu¬ 
ments  of  antiquity  have  crumbled  into  dust,  and 
the  most  powerful  nations  and  cities  of  other 
days  have  been  swept  from  the  face  of  the  earth, 
and  over  them  oblivion  hangs  its  dismal  mantle. 
But  eternity  is  inscribed  on  the  gates  of  Para¬ 
dise  ;  and  an  eternal  weight  of  glory  crowns  all 
the  inhabitants  of  Immanuel’s  land.  There  they 
will  ever  dwell  in  an  eternity  of  bliss.  0  what 
ineffable  delight  must  spring  up  in  the  souls  of 
the  redeemed  in  glory,  when  they  contemplate 
eternity  I  How  sweet  will  that  solemn  word  be 
to  those  happy  spirits  before  the  throne  I  As 
they  look  forward  into  the  boundless  ocean, 
they  see — they  fear  no  end  to  their  bliss.  While 
ages  of  glory  roll  on,  the  happiness  will  be  un¬ 
bounded,  and  eternal.  When  millions  of  ages 
shall  have  run  their  ample  round,  the  inhabi¬ 
tants  of  Immanuel’s  land  will  still  be  young  in 
immortality,  and  before  them  will  still  roll  an 
eternity  of  glory.  The  mansions  of  our  Bather’s 
house  are  eternal.  The  blessedness — the  joy — 
the  glory — the  rest — the  employment — the  so*, 
ciety  of  Immanuel’s  land  are  also  as  lasting  as 
eternity  itself.  Let  that  solemn  word  eternity, 
41* 


486  IMMANUEL’S  LAND. 


impress  upon  your  mind  the  importance  of  sal¬ 
vation.  If  you  are  saved,  it  is  with  an  everlast¬ 
ing  salvation  ;  if  you  are  lost,  you  are  lost  for¬ 
ever  ! 

Said  a  dear  dying  saint  to  the  writer,  as  she 
gave  her  parting  look,  “Think  often  of  Eternity ; 
that  short  word,  Eternity  !  Oh  !  what  does  it 
not  comprehend  ?” 

We  would  also  entreat  you  with  the  utmost 
compassion  for  your  immortal  soul,  to  “  think 
often  of  Eternity.  Eternity  is  yours  ;  you  are 
an  heir  of  immortality.  You  must  soon  enjoy 
a  perpetuity  of  bliss  or  of  woe.  0  he  entreated 
to  forsake  the  world  and  cleave  closely  to  Jesus  ! 
Live  to  Him  who  loved  you  with  an  everlasting 
love,  and  when  death  shall  terminate  your  earth¬ 
ly  course,  the  portals  of  heaven  will  open  for 
your  reception,  and  eternity,  with  all  its  untold 
glories  will  burst  upon  your  ransomed  spirit, 
and  you  shall  be  evier  with  the  Lord. 


. . - 


"T 


IMMANJEI/S  LAND.  487 


CONCLUSION, 

HEAVENLY  MEDITATION. 

t  N 

“  There  13  a  place  of  eacred  rest* 

Far,  far  beyond  the  skies. 

Where  beauty  smiles  eternally, 

And  pleasure  never  dies. 

0,  MY  soul,  rise  on  the  wings  of  meditation, 
and  survey  the  glories  of  Immanuel’s  land! 
Look  beyond  the  dim  visions  of  mortality — be¬ 
yond  the  swellings  of  Jordan — beyond  the 
gloomy  grave,  and  behold,  with  the  eye  of  faith, 
those  delectable  mountains  where  shines  the 
city  of  our  God  in  more  than  earthly  splendor ; 
and  where  millions  of  happy  saints  are  to  reign 
in  glory,  while  infinite  ages  roll  away.  This  is 
our  happy  dwelling  place — our  Father’s  house. 
How  brightly  shine  those  celestial  mansions 
irradiated  by  the  glory  of  Immanuel!  No 
cloud  rests  on  these  peaceful  dwellings.  There 
all  is  light  and  joy.  Our  Heavenly  Father  is 
there;  and  in  his  gracious  smile  there  is  joy 
unspeakable  and  full  of  glory.  There  we  shall 
rest  in  Aeraham’s  bosom.  There  we  shall 
dwell  with  that  Friend  who  “loveth  at  all 


488 


IMMANUEL'S  LAND. 


times  — there  the  Saviour  will  be  in  our  midst, 
to  refresh  our  souls  with  the  glorious  manifesta¬ 
tions  of  his  eternal  love.  He  will  appear  in  per¬ 
fect  beauty  from  Zion’s  holy  hill.  There  Shar¬ 
on's  lovely  rose  will  bloom  in  everlasting  day. 

“  Oh !  blessed  Spirit,  to  my  heart 
This  dear  celestial  flower  impart ; 

With  joy  I’ll  prize  the  Saviour  here, 

Then  go  to  heaven  and  view  him  there.” 

In  glory,  Christ  shall  appear  in  all  the  loveli 
ness  of  his  person  and  character.  The  presence 
of  Him  who  loved  us,  and  gave  himself  for  us, 
will  make  a  sweet,  glorious  heaven  indeed. 
Clad  in  the  spotless  robes  of  redeeming  righte¬ 
ousness,  we  shall  follow  the  Lamb  to-  living 
fountains  of  waters — to  perennial  streams  of 
pleasures — to  boundless  oceans  of  joys;  and  in 
the  enjoyment  of  the  Saviour’s  presence  we 
shall  be  perfectly  happy.  Within  us,  all  will 
be  peace ;  around  us,  all  will  be  glorious. 

Immanuel’s  land  is  a  place  of  unfading  beauty. 
Eternal  spring  blooms  in  the  realms  of  endless 
day. 

“  How  unlike  this  state  below ! 

There  the  flowers  unwithering  blow 
There  no  chilling  blasts  annoy, 

All  is  love,  and  bloom,  and  joy” 

Jtfow  sweet  for  the  weary  Christian  pilgrim, 


Immanuel’s  lakd. 


489 


while  passing  through  this  wilderness  scene,  to 
think  of  that  blessed  abode !  Dear  follower  of 
Jesus,  meditate  much  on  heaven — your  happy 
home.  Think  of  the  rapturous  delight  you 
must  experience  in  the  courts  of  Paradise,  while 
vast  eternity  glides  along^  0,  what  ecstatic  joy 
must  reign  in  the  ransomed  family  of  the  Lord 
when  they  are  admitted  to  see  the  King  in  his 
beauty ; — when  they  come  to  dwell  forever  in 
the  Paradise  of  God!  With  joy  anticipate  that 
glorious  hour,  when  your  happy  spirit,  freed 
from  its  clayey  tabernacle,  shall  take  its  flight 
to  those  pure  regions  of  bliss,  where  it  shall 
receive  a  crown  of  glory  that  fadeth  not  away. 

“  Oh,  glorious  hour,  it  comes  with  speed  1 
When  we,  from  sin  and  darkness  freed, 

Shall  see  the  God  who  died  for  man, 

And  praise  him  more  than  angels  can.* 

Live  with  heaven  always  in  view.  Endeavor 
to  obtain  a  glimpse  of  the  happy  land,  and  in  a 
little  while  you  will  have  reached  the  blissful 
coast.  You  will  soon  enjoy  the  refreshing 
breezes  of  the  saint’s  rest.  One  step  more  and 
you  will  have  gained  the  happy  shores  of  Im¬ 
manuel’s  land,  where  you  shall  tread  with  your 
Eedeemer  the  ceaseless  round  of  eternity. 

In  view  of  such  blessedness,  who  would  not 
exclaim  in  joyful  tones,  “Come,  Lord  Jesus. 


490  iAlM  AN  DELS  LAND. 


Come  quickly.”  0,  that  the  happy  hour  was 
come  .when  we  shall  rest  with  Jesus  in  the 
Pandise  of  God  I 

In  the  blessed  hope  of  a  glorious  immortality, 
let  us  look  beyond  this  dying  world,  and  gaze 
on  the  glories  of  our  heavenly  home,  till  hope  is 
turned  into  fruition,  and  faith  into  vision.  Let 
us  long  for  the  sight  of  that  blissful  city — that 
happy  home  in  which  we  are  to  spend  a  glorious 
eternity. 

And  now,  I  co  nmend  you  to  God,  and  to  the 
word  of  his  grace,  which  is  able  to  build  you 
up,  and  to  give  you  an  inheritance  among  all 
those  who  are  sanctified.  Hoping  to  meet  you 
on  the  shores  of  Immanuel’s  land,  where  the 
Lamb  which  is  in  the  midst  of  the  throne  shall 
feed  us,  and  lead  us  unto  living  fountains  of 
waters  ;  where  God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears 
from  our  eyes ;  and  where  we  shall  sing  the 
song  of  redeeming  love  through  countless  ages 
of  glory.  I  would,  till  then,  leave  you  in  the 
tender  and  compassionate  arms  of  Jesus,  the 
Friend  of  Sinners 

Jerusalem!  Jerusalem? 

Would  God  I  were  with  thee ! 

Oh  that  my  sorrows  had  an  end, 

Thy  joys  that  I  might  see ! 

Thy  walls  are  made  of  precious  stone, 

Thy  bulwarks  diamond  square; 


IMMANUEl/S  LAUl). 


491 


Thy  gates  are  made  of  Orient  pearl  j 
0  God,  if  I  were  there  I 

O  happy  harbor  of  God’s  saints! 

O  sweet  and  pleasant  soil  I 
In  thee  no  sorrows  can  be  found, 

No  grief,  no  care,  no  toil. 

No  dimming  cloud  o’ershadows  thee; 

No  gloom  nor  darksome  night, 

But  every  soul  shines  as  the  sun, 

For  God  himself  gives  light. 

Lcrd,  in  my  forehead  plant  thy  name 
And  take  me  hence  away, 

That  I  may  dwell  with  thee  in  bliss, 
And  sing  thy  praise  for  aye  I 
Jerusalem  !  my  hapny  home. 

O  how  I  long  for  thee ! 

7  hen  shall  my  labors  have  ail  end, ' 
When  once  thy  joys  I  see.” 


THB  END 


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